©AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What happens when people spend less money in shops?
- What happens when there are fewer workers in a country?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- adverse /ad-VURS/
[adjective] – having a negative or harmful effect on something
Heavy rain had an adverse effect on the crops. - substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl/
[adjective] – large in size, value, or importance
The company made a substantial profit last year. - evident /EV-i-duhnt/
[adjective] – easily seen or understood; clear
It was evident that she studied for the exam. - intricate /IN-tri-kit/
[adjective] – having many small parts that are arranged in a complicated way
The artist made an intricate design on the vase. - assertive /uh-SUR-tiv/
[adjective] – behaving confidently and not being frightened to say what is wanted
She was assertive in asking for a fair grade.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Congressional Budget Office released a report on September 12, 2025, stating that the United States’ economic growth will slow in 2025. The office explained that the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to decline from 2.5% in 2024 to 1.4% in 2025, compared to the earlier estimate of 1.9%. The slowdown is linked to weaker consumer spending and a shrinking workforce. Tariffs are expected to increase costs for households and businesses, while new immigration rules may reduce the labor supply. Experts warned that these adverse policies could make the short-term outlook less stable, even though future years may show some improvement.
The projections showed that GDP could rise to 2.2% in 2026 before stabilizing at 1.8% in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment is predicted to peak at 4.5% in 2025 before improving later, while inflation may reach 3.1% in 2025 before falling to 2.4% in 2026. About 320,000 people may be removed from the country over the next decade, with the population projected to be 4.5 million lower by 2035. White House officials claimed that tax cuts, deregulation, and energy expansion would bring substantial benefits. Analysts described the forecast as evident, intricate, and assertive, stressing that the changes ahead will affect both immediate risks and long-term stability.
The projections showed that GDP could rise to 2.2% in 2026 before stabilizing at 1.8% in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment is predicted to peak at 4.5% in 2025 before improving later, while inflation may reach 3.1% in 2025 before falling to 2.4% in 2026. About 320,000 people may be removed from the country over the next decade, with the population projected to be 4.5 million lower by 2035. White House officials claimed that tax cuts, deregulation, and energy expansion would bring substantial benefits. Analysts described the forecast as evident, intricate, and assertive, stressing that the changes ahead will affect both immediate risks and long-term stability.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who released a report about the U.S. economy on Friday?
- What did the office say about the U.S. GDP growth in 2025?
- What was the earlier GDP estimate for 2025?
- What two factors were linked to the slowdown?
- What effect may tariffs have on households and businesses?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you seen prices rise in your town? If so, how did it affect people? If not, what usually happens when prices stay low?
- Have you heard about jobs changing in your area? If so, what changed? If not, what could cause changes?
- Do you agree that government policies strongly affect the economy?
- What could happen if a country loses many workers in the future?
- How might higher tariffs change the way families spend money?