Recording three.

　　美元的发展历史(这玩意有啥可说的?)

　　Virtually every American can recognize a dollar bill at a mere glance. Many can identify it by its sound or texture. But few people indeed can accurately describe the world's most powerful, important currency. The American dollar bill is colored with black ink on one side and green on the other. The exact composition of the paper and ink is a closely guarded government secret. Despite its weighty importance, the dollar bill actually weighs little. It requires nearly 500 bills to tip the scales at a pound. Not only is the dollar bill lightweight, but it also has a brief lifespan. Few dollar bills survive longer. 18 months.

　　The word dollar is taken from the German word, tailor the name for the world's most important currency in the 16th century.

　　The Thaler was a silver coin first minted in 1518 under the reign of Charles the 5th, emperor of Germany.

　　The concept of paper money is a relatively recent innovation in the history of American currency. When the constitution was signed, people had little regard for paper money because of its steadily decreasing value during the colonial era. Because of this lack of faith, the new American government minted only coins for common currency. Interest bearing bank notes were issued at the same time. But their purpose was limited to providing money for urgent government crises, such as American involvement in the war of 1812. The first non interest bearing paper currency was authorized by congress in 1862. At the height of the civil war. At this point, citizens, old fears of devalued paper currency had calmed. The dollar bill was born. The new green colored paper money quickly earned the nickname greenback. Today, the American dollar bill is a product of the federal reserve and is issued from the 12 federal reserve banks around the United States. The government keeps a steady supply of approximately 2 billion bills in circulation at all times.

　　Controversy continues to surround the true value of the dollar bill.

　　American history has seen generations of politicians argue in favor of a gold standard for American currency. However, for the present, the American dollar bill holds the value that is printed on it and little more. The only other guarantee on the bill is a federal reserve pledge as a confirmation in the form of government securities.

　　Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.

　　Question 22. What does the speaker say about the American dollar bill?

　　答案：The American dollar bill is colored with black ink on one side and green on the other

　　Question 23. What does the speaker say about the exact composition of the American dollar bill?

　　答案： a closely guarded government secret.

　　Question 24. Why did the new American government mint only coins for common currency?

　　答案：because of its steadily decreasing value during the colonial era. Because of this lack of faith

　　Question 25. What have generations of American politicians argued for?

　　答案：in favor of a gold standard for American currency

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