69. What do most chain stores have to do in face of the economy crisis?

A. Increase plans to open stores. 　　　B. Insist on opening stores all the time.

C. Cut down plans to set up new stores. D. Take risks to sell goods in discount.

68. The underlined phrase “nest egg” in the second paragraph probably means a sum of money _____.

A. set aside as a reserve 　　　　　B. spent on house

C. provided by the government　　 D. raised for unemployment

67. It can be inferred that when people are richer, they would like to ________.

A. spend less money　　　　　　 B. spend more money

C. build up their saving　　　　　 D. save money for children

66. Consumer confidence has taken an enormous hit in recent months, because of _____.

A. the decline in gasoline and home prices

B. the decline in stock and gasoline prices

C. the decline in stock and car prices

D. the decline in stock and home prices

65. The passage may be ________.

A. a traveling plan　　　　　　　 B. an arrangement for a wedding ceremony

C. an arrangement for live coverage　 D. an outing plan

C

Predictions for

consumer spending in 2009

Consumer confidence has taken an enormous hit in recent months, and Americans are expected to be tight with money early in the year 2009, then slowly increase their spending. The massive loss of wealth from the decline in stock and home prices has taken a huge toll on US households. Net worth was down more than 11% in the July-September quarter from a year earlier, according to the Federal Reserve. When people are less wealthy - even on paper - they tend to spend less. And Americans finally are building up their savings - after years of spending more than they earned.

“When unemployment is high and confidence is low, people accumulate a little bit of a nest egg,” Nationall City chief economist Richard DeKaser says. Retailers are preparing for the worst, with the most optimistic suggesting that the downward slide in sales will stop or at least slow in the second half of the year. But they’re not taking any chances. Nearly all chain stores have reduced plans to open stores. Some, including Sears and Ann Taylor, are expected to close stores well into next year and beyond.

Auto sales in the US are expected to be even worse in 2009 than in 2008, reflecting the lower sales volume that hit at the tail end of this year. Estimates range from 11. 5 million to 12. 5 million for 2009, a far cry from the 17-million-a-year sales level in 2001, the Detroit 3 automakers said in a statement this month as they sought a federal aid. Consumer spending accounts for over two-thirds of US economic activity. Economists all expect spending to increase in the April-June quarter. One thing that will help is the sharp drop in prices of commodities, particularly gas. It’s one of the good pieces of news.

64. The media mentioned in the passage for learning the event is(are)_________.

A. TVs　　　 B. books　　　　 C. the Internet　 D. newspapers

63. Which is the CORRECT time order of the arrangement?

a. the swearing-in ceremony　　　　　 b. the inaugural parade

c. the inaugural balls　　　　　　　　 d. Obama’s inauguration address

A. a, b, c, d　　　 B. a, c, b, d　　　 C. d, a, b, c　 　　D. a, d, b, c

62. After his inaugural address, what would Barack Obama do?

A. Participate in the inaugural parade. 　　B. Go to the President House with his wife.

C. Stay with CNN. com. 　　　　　　D. Meet his officials.

61. Where and what time would Barack Obama swear?

A. On the steps of the Capitol; at 11:30 am.

B. In the White House; at 11:30 am.

C. On the steps of the Capitol; at 12:00 pm.

D. In the President House; at 8:00 am.

60. The author’s purpose in writing this passage is to _____.

A. tell us an interesting story

B. share his unforgettable experience with us

C. show how word puzzles help people be positive and sharp

D. call on us to have an optimistic attitude towards life

B

Coverage(新闻报道)begins at 8 am EST, with the swearing-in ceremony at 11:30 am EST, followed immediately by Obama’s inauguration(就职典礼)speech.

08:00 am EST-Tue January 20

INAUGURATION OF BARACK OBAMA

Say with CNNN. com Live throughout the day for all the events surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. RSVP at Facebook. com/cnn.

11:30 am EST-Tue January 20

SWEARING-IN OF BARACK OBAMA

Barack Obama is sworn-in as the 44th President of the United States. The ceremony on the steps of the Capitol begins at 11:30 am with Barack Obamaps swearing-in at 12:00 pm. Obama will then deliver his inaugural address.

2:30 pm EST-Tue January 20

INAUGURAL PARADE

Barack Obama participates in the inaugural parade following his swearing-in as President of the United States.

6:00 pm EST-Tue January 20

SPECIAL: INAUGURATION DAY

CNN. com Live wraps up the inauguration events from the swearing-in through the parade.

8:00 pm EST-Tue January 20

NAUGURAL BALLS

Stay with CNN. com Live to see Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and Joe Biden and Jill Biden make appearances at the inaugural balls.