Money matters, no matter who or where you are. So when China’s currency the yuan was devalued (贬值) against the US dollar for three straight days in mid-August, the world felt the effects. As CNN put it: “If China sneezes, the world catches a cold.”
Why does it matter so much?
The exchange rate is the term for the comparison of two currencies. It says how much one currency is worth in terms of (换算) the other.
“Exchange rates play an important role in a country’s level of trade. It is one of the most important determinants (决定因素) of a country’s relative level of economic health,” wrote Jason Van Bergen of Forbes.com. A higher currency makes a country’s exports more expensive and imports cheaper, and vice versa (反之亦然).
Devaluation means the same amount of RMB can be exchanged for fewer USD. For example, on Aug 11, the exchange rate of RMB to USD was 6.23, which meant $1 was worth the same as 6.23 yuan. Two days later, the rate changed to 6.4, meaning the value of RMB had dropped by 2.7 percent.
So what does a weaker currency mean for our lives?
It first affects those who want to travel to, or study in, the US. If your former classmate is leaving for a preparatory (预科) school in the US at the end of August, it now costs about 1,800 yuan more to exchange currency for 10,000 US dollars than it did earlier this month. However, since many currencies have decreased in value, the value of yuan is still relatively high despite the recent devaluation. This means it costs 1,200 yuan less to get 10,000 Canadian dollars now than it did in March.
Even if we don’t have plans to travel abroad, though, we could still be affected. For example, your mother will have to pay more if she buys directly from overseas websites with US dollars. And chances are that imported chocolate and potato chips will soon be a bit more expensive in your local supermarket.
However, the weaker yuan is good news for Chinese exporters. It makes Chinese exports less expensive and it could boost the overseas sales that have been among the main reasons for China’s economic growth during its rise over the past 30 years.
Just as Erik Britton of Fathom, a London-based economic consulting firm, told The Guardian: “We’re all going to feel it: we’ll feel it through commodities (商品), not just from China but from everywhere that has to compete with it; and we’ll feel it through wages.”
“The devalued yuan will force China’s Asian rivals (竞争对手), such as Indonesia and South Korea, to compete even harder,” wrote Heather Stewart, economics editor of The Guardian. “The result may be cheaper Christmas presents.”
1.According to the passage, it can be learned from the passage EXCEPT___________
A.The higher China’s currency is , the less expensive potato chips from America become.
B.In March people spent 1,200 yuan more to get 10,000 Canadian dollars than they do today because Canadian dollars increased in value.
C.China’s currency’s devaluation against the US dollar in mid-August makes students studying in America pay more school fees.
D.People who work in Fathom will be greatly affected on account of the weaker yuan.
2.The passage implies that ___________.
A.The yuan’s devaluation contributes a lot to China’s economic growth .
B.Exchange rates are the most important factor determining a country’s relative level of economic health
C.The yuan’s devaluation has a great impact on all the countries in the world.
D.Chinese exports sell well overseas because of their high quality
3.If the exchange rate of RMB to USD increased from 6.5 to 6.7, how much more percent would you pay when you bought a bag worth $100?
A.2.7 B.5.4 C.20.0 D.3.1
阅读理解
1.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage？
A. The voyage through the wormhole is a considerable challenge．
B. A team of crime fighters uncovers a criminal plot in Big Hero．
C. President Coin pushes Katniss to protest Peeta．
D. Penguins have to wrestle with problems in District 13．
2.The similarity that exists in the four films is that ________．
A. each of them is a branch of film series
B. all of them are concerned with positive energy
C. they all have the best actors and actresses in the world
D. the four films all have something to do with exploration
Growing roots
When I was growing up, I had an old neighbor named Dr. Gibbs. He didn’t look like any doctor I’d ______ known. When Dr. Gibbs wasn’t ______ lives, he was planting trees.
The good doctor had some ______ theories on planting trees. He believed in “No pains, no gains”. He never ______ his new trees, which was ______ many people. Once I asked why. He ______ that watering plants spoiled(宠坏)them, and that if you water them, each following tree generation will ______ weaker and weaker. So you have to make things ______ for them. He talked about how watering trees ______ shallow roots, and how trees that weren’t watered had to grow deep roots in ______ of water. I came to understand that he meant deep roots were to be ______. I planted a couple of trees a few years back and I took good care of them. Two years of ______ has resulted in trees that expect to be waited on hand and foot. Whenever a cold wind blows, they ______ and tremble their branches. Funny things about those trees of Dr. Gibbs’. The lack of water seemed to ______ them in ways comfort and ease never could.
I used to ______ for my sons that their lives will be easy. But ______ I’ve been thinking that it’s time to ______ my prayer. I know my children are going to meet _______, and I’m praying they will be strong. The prayer for comfort is seldom met. What we need to do is to pray for deep roots,______ when the winds blow, they won’t be ______ away.
1.A.even B.ever C.never D.hardly
2.A.valuing B.making C.enjoying D.saving
3.A.exciting B.dull C.interesting D.terrible
4.A.watered B.raised C.loved D.sheltered
5.A.against B.beyond C.within D.from
6.A.wondered B.answered C.doubted D.guessed
7.A.grow B.change C.appear D.show
8.A.harmful B.favorable C.tough D.wonderful
9.A.made for B.head for C.allow for D.care for
10.A.charge B.favor C.honor D.search
11.A.treasured B.challenged C.respected D.liked
12.A.education B.information C.preparation D.devotion
13.A.dance B.shake C.spread D.lift
14.A.harm B.raise C.benefit D.hurt
15.A.pray B.apply C.stand D.call
16.A.perfectly B.formally C.obviously D.lately
17.A.attend B.say C.change D.keep
18.A.hardships B.worries C.bosses D.jobs
19.A.or B.so C.and D.but
20.A.given B.sent C.broken D.swept
（题文）（2018·江苏97校联考）—Will Mr. Black pull us through the crisis of money?
—He is ________ and I don’t think he’ll help us with anything.
A. a tough nut B. Jekyll and Hyde
C. the salt of the earth D. a Scrooge
—Why didn’t you call me then?
—Oh, my cell-phone was power off. I ________ you otherwise.
A.would call B.had called
C.have called D.would have called
（2018·江苏97校联考）—Congratulations on your girlfriend’s being offered the job.
—Thank you, but she’s got it ________ her greater perseverance.
A.in terms of B.in response to
C.by virtue of D.with respect to
