Passage 1The US dollar value of Chinese exports increased at an average rate of almost 18 per cent per annum between 1978 and 1983, while imports increased by 【approximately】 11 per cent per annum. As a result, the visible trade surplus rose sharply from US $1.4 billion in 1981 to US $4.4 billion in 1982 and US$3.7 billion in 1983. Exports grew much faster than imports during this period not only because of the strong emphasis placed on exporting by China’s economic planners, but also because a number of industrial projects were postponed in 1979. Official recognition that foreign technology could play a major role in modernising the Chinese economy had caused imports to rise by more than 50 per cent in 1978 placing undue strain on the national economy. Grain imports have fallen sharply over the past few years—China became 【a net grain exporter】 in 1984—and in 1983 the country started to export soyabeans and cotton.37.Why did the more than 50% rise in imports of 1978 place undue strain on China’s national economy?

Passage 1The US dollar value of Chinese exports increased at an average rate of almost 18 per cent per annum between 1978 and 1983, while imports increased by 【approximately】 11 per cent per annum. As a result, the visible trade surplus rose sharply from US $1.4 billion in 1981 to US $4.4 billion in 1982 and US$3.7 billion in 1983. Exports grew much faster than imports during this period not only because of the strong emphasis placed on exporting by China’s economic planners, but also because a number of industrial projects were postponed in 1979. Official recognition that foreign technology could play a major role in modernising the Chinese economy had caused imports to rise by more than 50 per cent in 1978 placing undue strain on the national economy. Grain imports have fallen sharply over the past few years—China became 【a net grain exporter】 in 1984—and in 1983 the country started to export soyabeans and cotton.38.What is “a net grain exporter”? Does it mean one who has never done any import?

Passage 2Korea, once known as the 【“Hermit Kingdom”】, is plainly on the move. As with “Japan, Inc.” before it, the new label “Korea, Inc.” may be no more than a trendy buzzword. But South Korea aims to forge just such a national economic machine, using the might of its established giants backed by centralized planners who can mobilize the country’s banks and industrial infrastructure. The heady dreams of actually rivaling Japan may never come within reach; Korea’s economy, while large by Asian standards, is barely one-fifteenth the size of its island neighbor. And it faces a gantlet of other obstacles, ranging from an unwieldy bureaucracy and a volatile political climate to a chronic shortage of investment capital and heavy commitments to military spending. Still, the comparisons with Japan, Inc. are more than empty flattery; in fact, they signal Korea’s 【gathering clout】.39.What is a “Hermit Kingdom”?

Passage 2Korea, once known as the 【“Hermit Kingdom”】, is plainly on the move. As with “Japan, Inc.” before it, the new label “Korea, Inc.” may be no more than a trendy buzzword. But South Korea aims to forge just such a national economic machine, using the might of its established giants backed by centralized planners who can mobilize the country’s banks and industrial infrastructure. The heady dreams of actually rivaling Japan may never come within reach; Korea’s economy, while large by Asian standards, is barely one-fifteenth the size of its island neighbor. And it faces a gantlet of other obstacles, ranging from an unwieldy bureaucracy and a volatile political climate to a chronic shortage of investment capital and heavy commitments to military spending. Still, the comparisons with Japan, Inc. are more than empty flattery; in fact, they signal Korea’s 【gathering clout】.40.What are the disadvantages of Korea’s economy when compared with Japan’s?

Passage 2Korea, once known as the 【“Hermit Kingdom”】, is plainly on the move. As with “Japan, Inc.” before it, the new label “Korea, Inc.” may be no more than a trendy buzzword. But South Korea aims to forge just such a national economic machine, using the might of its established giants backed by centralized planners who can mobilize the country’s banks and industrial infrastructure. The heady dreams of actually rivaling Japan may never come within reach; Korea’s economy, while large by Asian standards, is barely one-fifteenth the size of its island neighbor. And it faces a gantlet of other obstacles, ranging from an unwieldy bureaucracy and a volatile political climate to a chronic shortage of investment capital and heavy commitments to military spending. Still, the comparisons with Japan, Inc. are more than empty flattery; in fact, they signal Korea’s 【gathering clout】.41.What does “gathering clout” mean in the passage?

Yet in its current dour mood, Europe risks almost overlooking the revolutionary step forward it has taken in creating the world’s largest and wealthiest barrier-free market—and on a continent where, for centuries, economic battles have led to some of history’s bloodiest wars. Moreover, a failure to reinforce the single market by pushing forward with European integration could lead to an unraveling of what the internal market program has achieved, some observers say.

The original ban on private trading had long since been 【given up】.

【Goods】 are produced according to sample provided by the customer.

China is 【reaping】 the rewards of reforms first launched by Deng Xiaoping in 1979.

Many countries in the region were adversely 【affected】 by declines in workers’ remittances and tourism revenues.