There is much discussion today about whether economic growth is desirable. At an earlier period, our desire for material wealth may have been justified. Now, however, this desire for more than we need is causing serous problems. Even though we have good intentions, we may be producing too much, too fast.
Those who criticize economic growth argue that we must slow down. They believe that society is approaching certain limits on growth. These include the fixed supply of natural resources, the possible negative effects of industry on the natural environment, and the continuing increase in the world’s population. As society reaches these limits, economic growth can no longer continue, and the quality of life will decrease.
People who want more economic growth, on the other hand, argue that even at the present growth rate there are still many poor people in the world. They believe that only more growth can create the capital needed to improve the quality of life in the world. Furthermore, they argue that only continued growth can provide the financial resources required to protect our natural surroundings from industrialization.
This debate over the desirability of continued economic growth is of vital importance to business and industry. If those who argue against economic growth are correct, the problems they mention cannot be ignored. To find a solution, economists and the business community must pay attention to these problems and continue discussing them with one another.
1. According to those who argue against economic growth we must slow down for the following reasons EXCEPT that_________.
A. our natural surroundings are in danger of being destroyed by industry
B. the fixed supply of natural resources marks a point beyond which economic growth cannot continue
C. the world population is ever increasing
D. more efforts should be made to improve the quality of our material life
2. Those who want more economic growth believe that continued economic growth_________
A. is essential to the well-being of society as a whole
B. can provide the solution to many of our social problems today
C. can protect our environment from being polluted by industry
D. can provide us with more natural resources for industrialization
3. The passage is mainly about _________
A. the contradiction between economists and the business community
B. the present debate on economic growth
C. the advantages and disadvantages of economic growth
D. the importance of the debate on economic growth
4. We may infer from the passage that _________.
A. the author describes the case as it is
B. the author is for economic growth
C. the author is against continued economic growth
D. the author is very much worried about the problems caused by continued economic growth