A fresh surge in oil prices and a rise in the cost of food pose the biggest threats to t

he recovery of poor countries from the global recession of 2008 and 2009, according to the World Bank.

In its latest economic health check, the Washington-based Bank said tougher economic policies and the jump in commodity prices would slow the pace of world growth this year before a pick-up in activity in 2012.

The Bank predicted that global growth was on course to edge down from 3.8 percent in 2010 to 3.2 percent this year, then accelerate to 3.6 percent in 2012. It forecast that the pace of activity in high-income countries would slow from 2.7 percent in 2011 to 2.2 percent in 2012. Developing countries, which were responsible for almost half global growth in 2010, would expand by 6.3 percent this year, down from 7.3 percent in 2010.

The Bank warned that its forecasts could be over-optimistic should oil prices continue to rise. Brent crude (布伦特原油) was t

1If oil prices keep rising, the forecasted global economic growth rate could be __________.

A、increased to 3.6 percent

B、increased to 6.3 percent

C、reduced to 2.2 percent

D、slowed by 0.5 percent

2What has been causing oil prices to continue to increase？

A、Market uncertainty or unstable oil supply.

B、The global recession of 2008 and 2009.

C、Over-optimistic forecast for economic growth.

D、Agreement reached by the OPEC oil cartel.

3What problem(s) do developing countries need to strive to address？

A、The slow economic growth rate.

B、Poverty brought by high food prices.

C、Structural imbalances and inflation pressures.

D、Tensions coming from high-income countries.

4According to the World Bank, high food prices had been a result of ____________.

A、high oil prices and decreased oil production

B、high oil prices and poor crop harvest

C、tougher economic policies

D、rise in other commodity prices

5How does the World Bank sound in making the predictions about economic growth？

A、Worried.

B、Objective.

C、Indifferent.

D、Sympathetic