公共管理硕士

Cyberspace (网络空间) , data superhighways, multimedia for those who have seen the future, the linking of computers, television and telephones will change our lives for ever. Yet for all the talk of a forthcoming technological Utopia (乌托邦) little attention bas been given to the implications of these developments for the poor. As with all new high technology, while the West concerns itself with the "how", the question of "for whom" is put aside once again.

Economists are only now realizing the full extent to which the communications revolution has affected the world economy. Information technology allows the extension of trade across geographical and industrial boundaries, and transnational corporations take full advantage of it. Terms of trade, exchange and interest rates and money movements are more important than the production of goods. The electronic economy made possible by information technology allows the haves to increase their control on global markets with destructive impact on the have-nots.

For them the result is instability. Developing countries which rely on the production of a small range of goods for export are made to feel like small pans in the international economic machine. As "futures"(期货) are traded on computer screens, developing countries simply have less and less control of their destinies.

So what are the options for regaining control? One alternative is for developing countries to buy in the latest computers and telecommunications themselves—so-called "development communications" modernization. Yet this leads to long-term dependency and perhaps permanent constraints on developing countries' economies.

Communications technology is generally exported from the U. S., Europe or Japan; the patents, skills and ability to manufacture remain in the hands of a few industrialized countries. It is also expensive, and imported products and services must therefore be bought on credit—credit usually provided by the very countries whose companies stand to gain.

Furthermore, when new technology is introduced there is often too low a level of expertise to exploit it for native development. This means that while local elites, foreign communities and subsidiaries of transnational corporations may benefit, those whose lives depend on access to the information are denied it.

1. From the passage we know that the development of high technology is in the interesls of .

A. the rich countries

B. scientific development

C. the elite

D. the world economy

2. It can be inferred from the passage that .

A. international trade should be expanded

B. the interests of the poor countries have not been given enough consideration

C. the exports of the poor countries should be increased

D. communications technology in the developing countries should be modernized

3. Why does the author say that the electronic economy may have a destructive impact on developing countries?

A. Because it enables the developed countries to control the international market.

B. Because it destroys the economic balance of the poor countries.

C. Because it violates the national boundaries of the poor countries.

D. Because it inhibits the industrial growth of developing countries.

4. The development of modern communications technology in developing countries may .

A. hinder their industrial production

B. cause them to lose control of their trade

C. force them to reduce their share of exports

D. cost them their economic independence

5. The author's attitude toward the communications revolution is

A. positive

B. critical

C. indifferent

D. tolerant

参考答案：A B A D B

"Welcome to the U. S. A. I Major Credit cards accepted !"

By the millions they are coming—no longer the tired, the poor, the wretched masses longing for a better living. These are the wealthy. "We don't have a budget," says a biologist from Brazil, as she walks with two companions through New York City's South Street. "We just use our credit cards."

The U. S. has long been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but this year has been exceptional. First there was the World Cup, which drew thousands from every corner of the globe; then came the weakening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies. Now the U. S., still the world's superpower, can also claim to be the world's bargain basement (廉价商品部) . Nobody undersells America these days on just about everything, from consumer electronics to fashion clothes to tennis rackets. Bottom retail prices— anywhere from 30% to 70% lower than those in Europe and Asia—have attracted some 47 million visitors, who are expected to leave behind $ 79 billion in 1994. That's up from $ 74 billion the year before.

True, not everyone comes just for bargains. There remains an undeniable fascination in the rest of the world with all things American, nourished by Hollywood films and U. S. television series. But shopping the U. S. A. is proving irresistible. Every week thousands arrive with empty suitcases ready to be filled; some even rent an additional hotel room to hold their purchases. The buying binge (无节制) has become as important as watching Old Faithful Fountains erupt in Yellowstone Park or sunbathing on a beach in Florida.

The U.S. has come at last to appreciate what other countries learned long ago: the pouring in of foreign tourists may not always be convenient, but it does put money in the bank. And with a trade deficit at about $130 billion and growing for the past 12 months, the U.S. needs all the deposits it can get. Compared with American tourists abroad, visitors to the U.S. stay longer and spend more money at each stop; an average of 12.2 night and $1624 a traveler versus the Americans' four night and $ 298.

1. From what the Brazilian biologist says, we know that tourists like her .

A. are reluctant to carry cash with them

B. simply don't care how much they spend

C. are not good at planning their expenditure

D. often spend more money than they can afford

2. The reason why 1994 was exceptional is that .

A. it saw an unusually large number of tourists to the U. S.

B. it witnessed a drop in the number of tourists to the U. S.

C. tourism was hardly affected by the weakening of the U.S. dollar that year

D. tourists came to the U.S. for sightseeing rather than for bargains that year

3. By saying "nobody undersells America" (Line 4, Para. 3), the author means that .

A. no other country underestimates the competitiveness of American products

B. nobody expects the Americans to cut the prices of their commodities

C. nobody restrains the selling of American goods

D. no other country sells at a lower price than America

4. Why does the author assert that all American things are fascinating to foreigners?

A. Because they have gained much publicity through the American media.

B. Because they represent the world's latest fashions.

C. Because they embody the most sophisticated technology.

D. Because they are available at all tourist destinations.

5. From the passage we can conclude that the U.S. has come to realize .

A. the weakening if the U.S. dollar can result in trade deficits

B. the lower the retail prices, the greater the profits

C. tourism can make great contributions to its economy

D. visitors to the U.S. are wealthier than U.S. tourists abroad

参考答案：B A D A C

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