大学经济学英语教材Economics for University StudentsChapter 1: Introduction to Economics1.1 What is Economics?Economics is the study of how individuals and societies make choices to allocate scarce resources to fulfill unlimited wants and needs.1.2 The Economic ProblemThe economic problem refers to the scarcity of resources and the need to make choices in order to satisfy the unlimited wants and needs of individuals and societies.1.3 Key Economic Conceptsa) Opportunity Cost: The cost of choosing one option over another, measured by the value of the next best alternative foregone.b) Supply and Demand: The interaction between buyers and sellers that determines the price and quantity of goods and services in a market.c) Production Possibility Frontier: A graphical representation of the maximum combination of goods and services that can be produced by an economy given its scarce resources.d) Comparative Advantage: The ability of a country, individual, or firm to produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than others.Chapter 2: Microeconomics2.1 The Basics of MicroeconomicsMicroeconomics studies the behavior of individual economic units, such as consumers, producers, and markets.2.2 Consumer Behaviora) Utility Theory: The theory that individuals maximize their satisfaction or utility when allocating their limited resources.b) Demand and Elasticity: The relationship between price and the quantity demanded, and the responsiveness of quantity demanded to price changes.2.3 Producer Behaviora) Production and Cost Analysis: The relationship between inputs, outputs, and costs in the production process.b) Supply and Elasticity: The relationship between price and the quantity supplied, and the responsiveness of quantity supplied to price changes.2.4 Market Structuresa) Perfect Competition: A market structure with many buyers and sellers, homogeneous products, and free entry and exit.b) Monopoly: A market structure with a single seller and significant barriers to entry.c) Oligopoly: A market structure with a few large firms dominating the market.d) Monopolistic Competition: A market structure with many sellers and differentiated products.Chapter 3: Macroeconomics3.1 Introduction to MacroeconomicsMacroeconomics studies the behavior of the economy as a whole, including variables such as inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.3.2 Measurement of Macroeconomic Variablesa) Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total value of goods and services produced within an economy over a specific period of time.b) Inflation Rate: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising.c) Unemployment Rate: The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment.3.3 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supplya) Aggregate Demand: The total demand for goods and services in an economy at a given price level.b) Aggregate Supply: The total supply of goods and services in an economy at a given price level.3.4 Macroeconomic Policiesa) Fiscal Policy: The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.b) Monetary Policy: The use of interest rates and money supply to control inflation and stabilize the economy.c) International Trade and Exchange Rates: The impact of international trade and exchange rates on a country's economy.Conclusion:The study of economics provides students with a framework for understanding and analyzing various economic phenomena. By mastering the concepts and principles of economics, students will be equipped with valuable knowledge that can be applied to real-world situations and decision-making processes. Understanding the theories and processes outlined in this textbook will enable students to make informed economic decisions in their personal and professional lives.。
Unit One Economy 1.What can you do?1.2Word Expansion2.Let’s readThe History of MoneyThe first form of money appeared around 9000 BC. It was not in the form of notes and coins as it is today, but rather in the form of animals such as cows and camels, and produce like grain and vegetables. These precious commodities were used as a means of payment when taxes needed to be paid. They were also used as a means to pay fines when the law was broken. However, this form of money presented many problems—animals became sick and died, grain spoiled during long storage periods, and sacks of grain and cows were difficult, if not impossible, to haul around.Thousands of years later in around 1200 BC, cowrie shells were used as a kind of money in China. These small shells were present and widely accessible in the shallow waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. The shells became the central form of currency and their important role in Chinese history is reflected in the fact that their pictograph came to represent the word for “money” in written Chinese.In 1000 BC, they were combined with metal. The Chinese made cowrie shells out of bronze and copper. At the same time, another kind of currency was emerging in China. [1] Metal tool money, which was made in the shape of knives, hoes, and spades, evolved into metal discs that were the original versions of coins. [2] These were convenient because, in addition to being easily stored, they were portable and durable.[3] However, they could be easily counterfeited, thereby losing their value. [4]From 680 BC, the first round, flat coins were produced from a combination of silver and gold. These coins appeared in what is now present-day Turkey and were stamped with important gods, emperors, and mythical beings to certify their authenticity. Although they had irregular shapes, they were standardized by their weight. The coins spread throughout the region and neighboring states refined and minted their own versions. The Greeks, for example, refined and minted the round, flat coins that determined the shape of coins that are still in use all over the world.The earliest known paper money is from China where it was in use from 960 AD onwards. It evolved from emperor-issued “value tokens” made from paper, and was mass-produced over the following 500 years. Paper money did not reach Europe until the 17th century when Sweden began issuing the currency. Other countries gradually took their cue from Sweden and in time, this currency spread around the world and became a common method of payment still in use today.2.1Exercises1.The word commodities in the passage is closest in meaning toA.featuresB. goodsC. resourcesD. assets2.The word haul in the passage is closet in meaning toA.turnB. walkC. showD. pull3.According to the paragraph 1, which of the following is one of the reasons that people stopped using grain asmoney?A.Because it went bad easilyB.Because it became scarce due to long periods of droughtC.Because its value was difficult to measureD.Because spoiled grain spread serious diseases4.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.A.Because the pictograph for the shells was the same as that for money, the shells came to assume a cruciallyimportant role in Chinese history.B.The role of the shells grew in importance as they were more valuable than other form of currency used to representthe word “money”.C.As the shells were used as currency in China at that time, they were given the same pictograph as money in Chinesewriting.D.The importance of the shells in Chinese history can be seen in their role as currency and by their pictorial symbolbeing used to represent the word “money”.5.The word counterfeited in the passage is closest in meaning toA.brokenB. copiedC. stolenD. transported6.All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 2 about metal tool money EXCEPTA.it was made in several shapes.B.it was produced from a specific type of metal.C.it was easy to carry and lasted a long timeD.it evolved into disc form7.The word their in the passage refers toA. silver and goldB. coinsC. mythical beingsD. shapes8. The author mentions The Greeks in order toA.illustrate how versions of coins varied according to regionB.show why Greek coins became the standard version still used todayC.provide evidence that Turkish coins were minted by other nationsD.identify the most widely used types of coins at that time.9. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true about the first round coins?A.They were all exactly the same size.B.They were first used in Greece.C.They were made from bronze and silver.D.Some of them were stamped with pictures of emperors.10. W hy does the author mention “value tokens”?A.To identify how the emperor controlled the money supplyB.To give an example of the unique nature of Chinese moneyC.To explain the method used to produce paper moneyD.To provide details of the origin of paper money11. Look at the four squares [1], [2],[3] and [4] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to thepassage.Moreover, they were produced from common, inexpensive metals, whichmeant they were not useful for buying expensive items.Where would the sentence best fit?A.[1]B. [2]C. [3]D. [4]12. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summaryby selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage.Since its first appearance around 9000 BC, money has evolved to take many shapes and forms across the world.●●●Answer ChoicesA. The first form of money was used to make government payments such as taxes and fines.B. Animals and foodstuffs were used as money, but these proved to be nearly impossible to transport and maintain.C. Progress in what is now Turkey and in Greece led to round coins being used, but it was China that first producedpaper money.D. Of all the different materials used to create money, gold proved to be the most durable as well as the easiest toproduce.E. The Chinese began to develop money using shells along with metal tool money that evolved into versions of coins.F. China and Sweden began issuing their own paper currencies in the 17th century.2.2Words & Expressionswords v.Definitionscommodity n. something that is sold for money 商品cowrie n. any of numerous tropical marine gastropods of the genus Cypraea having highly polished usually brightly marked shells 贝币accessible adj. 1. capable of being reached; 易到达的;易进入的;易够到的2. capable of being read with comprehension; 可以理解的;易懂的3. easily obtained; 易使用的;易得到的4. easy to get along with or talk to; friendly友善的；平易近人的pictograph n. a graphic character used in picture writing图画文字；象形文字bronze n. an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin青铜；青铜色；赤褐色；青铜艺术品hoe n. a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle锄头；草耙spade n. a sturdy hand shovel that can be pushed into the earth with the foot铁锹，铲子counterfeit v. If someone counterfeits something, they make a version of it that is not genuine but has been made to look genuine in order to deceive people仿制，造假；假装，伪装certify v. 1. provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes（尤指书面）证明2. guarantee as meeting a certain standard 颁发（或授予）专业合格证书3. declare legally insane证明（某人）患有精神病authenticity n. undisputed credibility可靠性，确实性，真实性refine v. reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities 提炼;精炼2.3Combine them into onea) Shells became the central form of currency.b) Shells’ important role in Chinese history is reflected in a fact.c) The fact is their pictograph came to represent the word for “money” in written Chinese.All in one: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________a) Metal tool money evolved into metal discsb) Metal discs were made in the shape of knives, hoes, and spadesc) Metal discs were the original versions of coins.All in one: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.4SummaryThe first form of money appeared around ______ BC. It was in the form of _____ and ______ as a means of payment. However, this form of money presented many _____. Cowrie ______ were used as a kind of money in China in around 1200 BC, which were combined with ______ in 1000 BC. At the same time, metal ______ money evolved into metal _______ that were the original versions of coins. The first round, flat coins were produced from a combination of ______ and _______ from 680 BC in Turkey. They were standardized by their ______. The coins spread throughout the region and neighboring states _______ and ______ their own versions. The earliest known _______ money is in use from 960 AD onwards in China. It reached Europe until the 17th century and spread around the world as a common method of _______ still in use today.3.Let’s Listen3.2Exercises1. How does the professor organize the lecture?A.By comparing domestic trade with foreign trade.B.By comparing two types of trade.C.By comparing the characteristics of two types of trading policies.D.By discussing one type of trade.2. Which is least likely to be true about free trade?A.It will apply to both goods and services.B.It will apply to goods but not services.C.It will keep prices down but also reduce domestic wages.D.It will keep prices down but result in the loss of domestic jobs.3. What is the likely out come of adopting protectionist policies?A.Consumers will pay lower prices for foreign goods.B.The country will probably lose jobs to foreign competition.C.The prices of most goods will rise.D.Trade will increase between countries.4. Listen to the lecture, and fill in the blanks to complete the lecture notes.1) Professor discusses _________________A.Is free flow of __________________B.Lets people buy and sell anythingC.Will create _________ for both partners.2) Free trade has different meanings to people3) Describes protectionismA. Prevent people from ______________B. Can include _____________________4) Describes advantages of free tradeA. Cheap ________________________B. Outsource jobsC. Improve ____________ of developing nations5. Complete the following summary with the words given below.Free trade is the free flow of goods and services between nations. Some of the characteristics of tree trade are the (1) ________________, quotas, subsidies, and various other regulations that limit the free (2) ________________. Free trade agreements usually involve some (3) _______________. Protectionism is government restraint on trade between two nations. It is one nation’s efforts to prevent its own people from trading. Such protective measures include tariffs, restrictive quotas, government regulations, anti-dumping laws, and subsidies. (4) _______________ of free trade is that it keeps prices down, but (5) _______________, a big disadvantage is that it might cause many (6) _______________ to suffer economically, domestic jobs to disappear, and domestic wages to decrease. Foreign businesses, especially in poorer countries, can provide the same (7) ________________ at a cheaper price because of lower labor costs.3.3Words & Expressionswords v.Definitionscapital n. money or property, especially when it is used to start a business or to produce more wealth资本restraint n. a rule or principle that limits what people can do 限制;制约因素;管制措施outsource v. obtain goods or services from an outside supplier; to contract work out; 将…外包；外购democratic adj. organized according to the principle that everyone has a right to be involved in making decisions民主的；民主政体的；民主主义的；<美>民主党的4.Let’s speakNow, let’s listen to a lecture on the subject of advertising techniques. You will then be asked a question about them. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.Note-taking:Question: The professor talks about advertising techniques in the lecture. Using points and examples from the lecture, describe the two different ways in which companies use advertisements to try to sell their products.5.It’s your turn5.1Language Enhancement5.1.1Find the synonym or Find the antonymA B C Dalter formable mold submitsplit zone division channelchange recede increase saveprofession chore labor tax5.1.2Paraphrase the following sentencesOriginalSentenceHere, advertisers attempt to persuade customers by using association. ParaphraseOriginal Sentence These coins appeared in what is now present-day Turkey and were stamped with important gods, emperors, and mythical beings to certify their authenticity.ParaphraseOriginal Sentence And fifth is the absence of subsidies and regulations on locally produced goods and services that give businesses in the home country an advantage over those of a foreign country.Paraphrase。
稀缺是经济学产生的原因。
所谓稀缺，就是指没有而且从来也不会有足够的产品和服务能够满足每个人、每个家庭和社会的需要。
稀缺的存在,使得个人和社会必须做出选择或决定。
这就使得经济学有了另一个定义:经济学是研究在稀缺世界中进行选择的科学。
Economics exists because there is scarcity. Scarcity means that there are not enough, nor can there ever be enough, goods and services to satisfy the wants and needs of all individuals, families, and societies. Scarcity forces individuals and societies to make choices or decisions. This gives rise to an alternative definition of economics, that is, economics is the study of decision making in a world of scarcity.当我们分析某些事件如何影响市场时,我们采取以下三步:首先,我们要决定这个事件是否使得供给曲线、需求曲线、或者有时使这两条曲线都发生移动;其次，我们要决定曲线是被左移还是右移;最后，我们要运用供求图表来检验曲线的移动如何影响均衡价格和均衡数量。
When analyzing how some event affects a market, we proceed in three steps. First, we decide whether the event shifts the supply curve, the demand curve, or, in some cases, both curves, Second, we decide whether the curve shifts to the right or left. Third, we use the supply-and-demand diagram to examine how the shift affects the equilibrium price and quantity.在解释消费者行为时，经济学家依赖于这样一个基本前提，即人们倾向于选择他们估价极高的那些商品和服务。
