阅读理解。
In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an
apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent
cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after
a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits.
Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new
buildings which would also be rentcontrolled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who
need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of
apartments in the city.
Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal
government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally
look for unskilled, low-paying jobs; However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers.
They will replace workers with machinery. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that
employers want decreases. Thus, critics hold the opinion that an increase in the minimum wage may cause
unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum
wage.
Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers
cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept
jobs at unfair wages.
Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production,
rent control and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if "other things are equal".
Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions.
Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that
there are no simple answers to economic questions.
1. This passage shows that setting maximum rent may _____.
A. encourage the construction of more apartments
B. discourage the renting of apartments as homes
C. reduce the shortage of apartments
D. result in a shortage of apartments
2. From the passage, we can infer that rent control _____.
A. is completely unnecessary
B. will likely bring about undesired results
C. will bring positive effects in the long run
D. is necessary under all circumstances
3. The problem of unemployment may come up when _____.
A. the minimum wage is set too low
B. the workers are unskilled
C. the minimum wage is set too high
D. people need low-paying jobs
4. This passage is mainly about economists disagreement on _____.
A. the effectiveness of government controls
B. the urgency of getting rid of government controls
C. the relationship between supply and demand
D. the possible results of government controls
5. We can conclude from the passage that _____.
A. the results of economic decisions can always be predicted
B. predicting the results of economic decisions is something complicated
C. minimum wage can not protect employees
D. economists usually have the same prediction about an economic decision
