Many families in the United States have a large income now than ever before, but people are finding it difficult to make ends meet anyway. Almost everyone is wondering, "What happens to my money? I never seem to have anything left to put away.
Why isn't a dollar worth as much as it used to be? One dollar is always worth the same amount, that is, 100 cents. But the value of a dollar is how much it can buy. The value of money depends on the cost of living. Economists say that the cost of living is the money that a family must pay for the necessities of life such as food, housing or rent, clothes, and medical expenses. For many years now, the cost of living has increased greatly, so the value of the dollar has decreased. When a dollar has a low value, you cannot buy as many things with it.
No one fully understands why the cost of living keeps increasing, but economists believe that workers and producers can make prices go up. As workers earn more money, they have more money to spend, so they demand more goods. If there is a great demand for certain goods, the prices of these goods go up. At the same time, if there's a shortage of goods, the prices of also go up. For example, if everyone wants to buy more and more gas, the price of gas goes up. When companies withhold gas from buyers, they can also make the price of gas go up.
Families need to know what happens to their money. They need to make their income meet the cost of living, so many people plan a family budget. A budget is a list of monthly expenses. If your expenses add up to more than your income you must find ways to save money. Maybe you' re spending too much on entertainment. Or if you're spending too much on clothes, you may want to sew your own clothes. Budgeting helps you spend your money wisely as the cost of living increases.
1._____What has troubled many families in the United States?
A.A not�large�enough income.
B.Nothing isleft over to put away.
C.The increasing cost of living.
D.A shortage of certain goods.
2、____determines the value of the dollar.
A.The government
B.The cost of living
C.The ***nomist
D.The bank
3、____While the cost of living increases, the value of the dollar
A.Increases too.
B.decreases.
C.Neither increases nor decreases.
D.seldom decreases.
4、______When , the prices go up.
A.Demand exceeds supply
B.supply exceeds demand
C.Demand doesn't exceed supply
D.supply equals demand
5、_____Budgeting helps
A.one to make his income meet the cost of living.
B.the government to battle the rising cost of living.
C.merchants to produce more goods.
D.the workers to earn more money.