Question

【2011·福建漳州实验中学模拟】

    Richard Cantillon (1680s-May 1734) was an Irish economist and author of Essay on the Nature of Trade in General, a book considered by Willian Stanley Jevons to be the “cradle of political economy”. Although little information exists on Cantillon’s life, it is known that he became a successful banker and merchant at an early age. His success was largely gained from the political and business connections he was able to acquire through his family and an early employer. During the late 1710s and early 1720s, Cantillon took a chance, and helped finance John Law’s Mississippi Company, from which he acquired great wealth. His success, however, came at a cost to his debtors, who attempted to get him involved in criminal activities, and even murder plots until his death 1734.

    The Essay remains Cantillon’s only surviving contribution to economics. It was written around 1730 and circulated widely in manuscript form, but was not published until 1755. Despite having much influence on the early development of the physiocrat（重农主义者）and classical schools of thought, the Essay was largely forgotten until its rediscovery by Jevons in the late 19th century. Cantillon was influenced by his experiences as a banker, and especially by the speculative bubble（投机泡沫）of John Law’s Mississippi Company. He was also heavily influenced by previous economists, especially William Petty.

    The Essay is considered the first complete essay on economies, with a great many contributions to the science. These contributions include the development of spatial（与空间有关的）economics. Canutillo’s Essay had significant influence on the early development of political economy, including the works of David Hume and Adam Smith.

68. Which of the following about Cantillon is TRUE according to the first paragraph?

       A. He knew little about business though a successful banker.

       B. He owed all his success to his family and an early employer.

       C. John Law’s Mississippi Company brought him a great deal of money.

       D. His debtors tried to copy him by participating in some criminal activities.

69. Cantillon’s Essay ______________.

       A. was not much recognized until the late 19th century

       B. was highly thought of by the economists around 1730

       C. had great influence on the economist, William Petty

       D. helped Jevons to make some discoveries in science

70. What can be inferred from the passage?

  A. The Essay was not circulated widely until 1755.

  B. Cantillon was a successful banker, merchant and politician.

C. Cantillon turned a merchant in his fifties.

D. The Essay was largely forgotten for years.

71. What can be the best title for the passage?

A. Cantillon and his life.             B. Cantillon and his business.

C. Cantillon and his Essay.          D. Cantillon and his contribution.

Answer 1

68. C 细节题。根据第一段“Cantillon helped John Law’s Mississippi Company, from which he acquired great wealth.”

69. A 细节题。根据第二段第四行。

70. D 考查学生的推理和理解能力。根据第二段“the Essay was largely forgotten until its rediscovery by Jevons in the late 19^th century”

71. C 主旨大意题。本文主要讲述Cantillon和他的散文对经济和科学界的影响。可根据首段和最后一段得知。