Currently, in many countries of the world, people are facing problems caused by inflation, which is a de crease in the purchasing power of money because of continuous rises in the prices of available goods. There are two different kinds of inflation, each of which can affect people's lives.
When inflation is discussed, people generally refer to an increase in prices, wages, and the amount of money circulating in a country’s economy. The most common type of inflation is called creeping inflation be cause there is a steady but manageable increase in the rate of inflation within a year. Prices rise continuously, so that workers ask for higher wages to cover the increasing costs of housing, food, and transportation. Al though such wage increases are inflationary, they are often unavoidable. As a result, a government may have to impose price and wage controls in order to control this type of inflation.
A less common type of inflation is called hyperinflation, which is usually due to war or occupation by a foreign country. During a period of hyperinflation, price levels double rapidly. Because there is too much money available in the economy, the currency decreased in value, and people lose confidence in their government's financial competence. To win back the trust of the people, the government may create a new currency.
Regardless of the type of inflation that a country's economy is experiencing, inflation affects every individual in that society. In the United States, for example, many families could no longer afford to buy at today's prices the homes that they bought years ago. As long as the costs of food and entertainment continue to rise, people will be forced to modify their lifestyles. People on fixed incomes such as pensions or scholar ships have such serious financial problems that they cannot live decently, since their incomes do not keep up with the rate of inflation.
Until there is cooperation not only among individuals within any given country but also among the various governments of the world, inflation will not continue to trouble many of us.
With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?
A. Different causes of inflation,
B. A significant economic issue--inflation.
C. The trouble caused by inflation.
D. The control of inflation.
SECTION B ENGLISH TO CHINESE
Directions: Translate the following text into Chinese.
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Reading makes a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer lime, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know, that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.