英语六级阅读训练.docVIP

英语六级阅读训练

●Thestandardoflivingofanycountrymeanstheaveragepersonsshareofthegoodsandserviceswhichthecountryproduces.Acountrysstandardofliving,therefore,dependsfirstandforemostonitscapacitytoproducewealth.Wealthinthissenseisnotmoney,forwedonotliveonmoneybutonthingsthatmoneycanbuy:goodssuchasfoodandclothing,andservicessuchastransportandentertainment.

Acountryscapacitytoproducewealthdependsuponmanyfactors,mostofwhichhaveaneffectononeanother.Wealthdependstoagreatextentuponacountrysnaturalresources,suchascoal,gold,andotherminerals,watersupplyandsoon.Someregionsoftheworldarewellsuppliedwithcoalandminerals,andhaveafertilesoilandafavorableclimate;otherregionspossessperhapsonlyoneofthesethings,andsomeregionspossessnoneofthem.TheU.S.Aisoneofthewealthiestregionsoftheworldbecauseshehasvastnaturalresourceswithinherborders,hersoilisfertile,andherclimateisvaried.TheSaharaDesert,ontheotherhand,isoneoftheleastwealthy.

Nexttonaturalresourcescomestheabilitytoturnthemtouse.ChinaisperhapsaswelloffastheU.S.A.innaturalresources,butsufferedformanyyearsfromcivilandexternalwars,andforthisandotherreasonswas.unabletodevelopherresources.Soundandstablepoliticalconditions,andfreedomfromforeigninvasion,enableacountrytodevelopitsnaturalresourcespeacefullyandsteadily,andtoproducemorewealththananothercountryequallywellservedbynaturebutlesswellordered.Anotherimportantfactoristhetechnicalefficiencyofacountryspeople.Oldcountriesthathave,throughmanycenturies,trainedupnumerousskilledcraftsmenandtechniciansarebetterplacedtoproducewealththancountrieswhoseworkersarelargelyunskilled.Wealthalsoproduceswealth.Asacountrybecomeswealthier,itspeoplehavealargemarginforsaving,andcanputt