Many folks see silver linings to this slowdown. Potential home buyers would cheer for lower interest rates. Employers wouldn’t mind a little fewer bubbles in the job market. Many consumers seem to have been influenced by stock-market swings, which investors now view as a necessary ingredient to a sustained boom. Diners might see an upside, too. Getting a table at Manhattan’s hot new Alain Ducasse restaurant used to be impossible. Not anymore. For that, Greenspan & Co. may still be worth toasting.

　　54. Why can many people see “silver linings” to the economic slowdown?

　　[A] They would benefit in certain ways.

　　[B] The stock market shows signs of recovery.

　　[C] Such a slowdown usually precedes a boom.

　　[D] The purchasing power would be enhanced.

　　[答案] A

　　[解题思路]

　　做本题的关键不在于了解“silver linings”这个词组的含义，而在于准确定位对应信息，即文章的最后一段。纵观该段，主要谈论的内容是经济不景气带来的一些好处，如利率降低有利于购房、高级餐厅的价格降低等，四个选项中只有A选项符合最后一段的意思。“silver linings”这个词组的含义也正是“黑暗中的一线希望”。B选项虽然在原文中有所提及，但这与目前的经济形势无关。C、D选项在文中没有提及，考生不要盲目地用自己的经济知识去判断，而要紧紧围绕原文。

　　[题目译文]

　　为什么很多人从经济减速中看到了希望？

　　[A] 他们会以一些方式获益。

　　[B] 股票市场显出了复苏迹象。

　　[C] 这种经济减速通常是经济繁荣的前兆。

　　[D] 购买力会得到加强。