kĩ năng viết trong các bài test 3 ppsx

Measuring Economic Growth

Economists use different data to study the health of the

economy. They look at stock market trading, the cost of

living, unemployment rates, and the gross domestic prod￾uct (GDP). The GDP measures the total value of goods

and services produced within the United States over the

course of a year. The gross national product (GNP) takes

into account both the GDP and foreign investments. If

the GNP decreases for two consecutive quarters during

a year, the economy is considered to be in recession.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in

the cost of living. To calculate the CPI, the U.S. Bureau of

Labor Statistics tracks changes in prices in common

goods and services—food, clothing, rent, fuel, and oth￾ers—each year. The graph shows the CPI in all U.S. cities

between 1990 and 2001. To make comparisons between

years, the graph uses the years 1982–1984 as a base

period (1982–1984 = 100). For instance, if the average

urban consumer spent $100 on living expenses in

1982–1984, he or she spent more than $150 on the same

expenses in 1995.

EXERCISE 9

Using the graph and passage about the consumer price

index, answer the following questions. The answers are

on page 169.

1. How much would an urban consumer expect to

pay in 2001 for an item that costs $50 in

1982–1984?

a. $88

b. $100

c. $176

d. $43

e. $131

2. What conclusion can you make based on the

graph?

a. The CPI tracks price changes for common

household expenses.

b. The cost of living has decreased in recent

years.

c. The rate of increase in the cost of living

slowed between 1999 and 2000.

d. If the cost of living continues to rise, people

will move out of the cities.

e. The cost of living for city residents steadily

increased between 1990 and 2001.

Consumer Price Index—All Urban Consumers 1990–2004

180

170

160

150

140

130

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Index: 1982–1984 = 100

2002 2003 2004

190

–ECONOMICS–

150