大多數美國人認為，如果沒有資本主義的經濟自由 （economic freedom of capitalism）—— 許多人更喜歡稱之為自由企業 （free enterprise) —— 他們的國家就不可能崛起為製造業產品、食品和服務的主要生產國。美國經濟增長的故事就是人們發明新設備（devices）和新流程（processes）、創辦新企業（starting new businesses）和創業的故事(launching new ventures)。每一項努力都需要金錢。這些錢就是所謂的資本。
今天的題目貌似詞義推測，實則考查概念意義的理解。Have a try?
【題目】As used in the context, the word「laissez-faire」is closest in meaning to ______.
[A]top-down processing.
[B]self-driven mechanism.
[C]free participation.
[D]non-interference.
【試題】
①In order to invest, individuals do not have to have a great deal of money: they can buy just a small portion of a business – called a share.②The business of buying and selling shares in enterprises has become so big that offices have had to be set up where the selling of shares, or stock, can take place.③Except for weekends and holidays, the stock exchanges are busy every day as people buy and sell stock. ④Knowing about business is important if one wishes to make a profit in the stock market.
⑤Adam Smith would easily recognize these elements of American business, but other aspects he would not.⑥Many problems accompanied the development of modern American industrial capitalism during the past century.⑦Immigration and the rapid growth of American cities resulted in a large urban population seeking to earn a living.⑧Factory owners often exploited this situation by offering low wages for long working hours, by providing unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and by hiring the children of poor families.⑨There was discrimination in hiring: Black Americans and members of some immigrant groups were refused work or were forced to work under even more unfavorable conditions than the average worker.⑩Entrepreneurs also took full advantage of the lack of government oversight, under the doctrine of laissez-faire, to enrich themselves by forming monopolies, eliminating competition, setting high prices for goods and producing poor qualitygoods.
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【參考譯文】
①In order to invest, individuals do not have to have a great deal of money: they can buy just a small portion of a business – called a share. 為了投資，個人不需要有大量的錢：他們可以買一個企業的一小部分，稱為股票。②The business of buying and selling shares in enterprises has become so big that offices have had to be set up where the selling of shares, or stock, can take place. 企業的股票買賣業務如此之大，以致於不得不在股票買賣地點設立辦事處。③Except for weekends and holidays, the stock exchanges are busy every day as people buy and sell stock. 除了周末和節假日，股票交易所每天都很繁忙，因為人們在買賣股票。④Knowing about business is important if one wishes to make a profit in the stock market. 如果一個人想在股票市場上獲利，了解商業是很重要的。
⑤Adam Smith would easily recognize these elements of American business, but other aspects he would not. 亞當斯密很容易就能認出美國商業的這些要素，但其他方面他就認不出來了。⑥Many problems accompanied the development of modern American industrial capitalism during the past century.美國近代工業資本主義在過去一個世紀的發展過程中出現了許多問題。 ⑦Immigration and the rapid growth of American cities resulted in a large urban population seeking to earn a living. 移民和美國城市的快速增長導致了大量的城市人口尋求謀生。⑧Factory owners often exploited this situation by offering low wages for long working hours, by providing unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and by hiring the children of poor families. 工廠主經常利用這種情況，為長時間工作的工人提供低工資，提供不安全和不健康的工作條件，並僱用貧困家庭的兒童。⑨There was discrimination in hiring: Black Americans and members of some immigrant groups were refused work or were forced to worker under even more unfavorable conditions than the average worker. 在僱傭方面存在歧視：美國黑人和一些移民團體的成員被拒絕工作，或者被迫在比普通工人更不利的條件下工作。⑩Entrepreneurs also took full advantage of the lack of government oversight, under the doctrine of laissez-faire, to enrich themselves by forming monopolies, eliminating competition, setting high prices for goods and producing poor quality merchandise. 企業家還在自由放任主義的教義下，充分利用政府缺乏監管，通過形成壟斷、消除競爭、抬高商品價格和生產質量低劣的商品來致富。