There is much discussion today about whether economic (经济的) growth is desirable．At an earlier period, our desire for material wealth may have proved proper．Now, however, this desire for more than we need is causing serious problems．Even though we have good intentions, we may be producing too much, too fast．

　　Those who criticize economic growth argue that we must slow down．They believe that society is coming near to certain limits on growth．These include the fixed supply of natural resources, the possible bad effects of industry on the natural environment, and the continuing increase in the world's population．As society reaches these limits, economic growth can no longer continue, and the quality of life will decrease．

　　People who want more economic growth, on the other hand, argue that even at the present growth rate there are still many poor people in the world．These proponents of economic growth believe that only more growth can create the capital needed to improve the quality of life in the world．Furthermore, they argue that only continued growth can provide the financial (财政的) resources required to protect our natural surroundings from industrialization．

　　This discussion over the desirability of continued economic growth is very important to business and industry．If those who argue against economic growth are correct, the problems they mention cannot be ignored (忽视)．To find an answer, economists and the business community must pay attention to these problems and continue discussing them with one another．

1．According to those who argue against economic growth we must slow down for the following reasons EXCEPT that________．

[　　]

A．our natural surroundings are in danger of being destroyed by industry

B．the fixed supply of natural resources marks a point beyond which economic growth cannot continue

C．the world population is ever increasing

D．more efforts should be made to improve the quality of our material life

2．The passage is mainly about________．

[　　]

A．the importance of the discussion on economic growth

B．the advantages and disadvantages of economic growth

C．the discussion over the desirability of continued economic growth

D．the relationship between economic growth and environment

3．The underlined word proponents most probably means ________．

[　　]

A．arguments in support of something

B．disagreements

C．people who argue for something

D．people who argue against something

4．We may infer from the passage that ________．

[　　]

A．the author is objective in describing the discussion over economic growth

B．the author is for economic growth

C．the author is against continued economic growth

D．the author is worried about the problems caused by continued economic growth

阅读理解

　　There is much discussion today about whether economic growth is desirable. At an earlier period, our desire for material wealth may have proved proper. Now, however, this desire for more than we need is causing serious problems. Even though we have good intentions, we may be producing too much, too fast.

　　Those who criticize economic growth argue that we must slow down. They believe that society is coming near to certain limits on growth. These include the fixed supply of natural resource in the world's population. As society reaches these limits, economic growth can no longer continue, and the quality of life will decrease.

　　People who want more economic growth, on the other hand, argue that even at the present growth rate these are still many poor people in the world. These proponents of economic growth believe that only more growth can create the capital needed to improve the quality of life in the world. Furthermore, they argue that only continued growth can provide the financial (财政的) resources required to protect our natural surroundings from industrialization.

　　This discussion over the desirability of continued economic growth is very important to business and industry. If those who argue against economic growth are correct, the problem they mention cannot be ignored(忽视). To find an answer, economists and the business community must pay attention to these problems and continue discussing them with one another.

1．The passage is mainly about ________.

[　　]

A．the importance of the discussion on economic growth

B．the advantages and disadvantages of economic growth

C．the present discussion on economic growth

D．the relationship between economic growth and environment

2．Those who want more economic growth believe that continued economic growth ________.

[　　]

A．is important and necessary to the well-being society as a whole

B．has nothing to do with natural surrounding at all

C．can provide the answer to many of our social problems today

D．can provide us with more natural resources for industrialization

3．We may infer from the passage that the author ________.

[　　]

A．is for economic growth

B．is against continued economic growth

C．is much worried about the economic problems

D．describes the cases as it is

4．The underlined word “proponents” in the third paragraph means ________.

[　　]

A．people who argue against something

B．people who argue for something

C．arguments in support of something

D．strong opposite opinions