Read the text below in order to answer questions 37 to 40:

Shocks to the system

At the start of the year, it was not uncommon to hear businessmen saying that Brazil was enjoying its best economic conditions for a generation. The country appeared to be well on the way to a period of sustained economic expansion. Most economists were looking to another strong year of growth, with gross domestic product expanding by 4.5 per cent in 2001, on top of 4 per cent in 2000. Real interest rates were about to fall to single digits for the first time in decades.

However, within just a few months, the outlook for the Brazilian economy has deteriorated dramatically. A whole series of unexpected... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 37 to 40:

Shocks to the system

At the start of the year, it was not uncommon to hear businessmen saying that Brazil was enjoying its best economic conditions for a generation. The country appeared to be well on the way to a period of sustained economic expansion. Most economists were looking to another strong year of growth, with gross domestic product expanding by 4.5 per cent in 2001, on top of 4 per cent in 2000. Real interest rates were about to fall to single digits for the first time in decades.

However, within just a few months, the outlook for the Brazilian economy has deteriorated dramatically. A whole series of unexpected... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 16 to 18.

INSURANCE AGENTS

Insurers deliver their insurance products to policyowners primarily through independent or exclusive agents. Historically, almost all insurance agents were independent business people paid on commission. More recently, many insurance companies have adopted a system where the agent is a paid employee of the firm. These agents are referred to as exclusive agents. Economists studying the differences between these two distribution systems have long argued that the independent agency system is a less efficient method of getting the product to the customer as measured by the ratio of expenses incurred to premiums written and other statistics. But recent studie... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 16 to 18.

INSURANCE AGENTS

Insurers deliver their insurance products to policyowners primarily through independent or exclusive agents. Historically, almost all insurance agents were independent business people paid on commission. More recently, many insurance companies have adopted a system where the agent is a paid employee of the firm. These agents are referred to as exclusive agents. Economists studying the differences between these two distribution systems have long argued that the independent agency system is a less efficient method of getting the product to the customer as measured by the ratio of expenses incurred to premiums written and other statistics. But recent studie... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 16 to 18.

INSURANCE AGENTS

Insurers deliver their insurance products to policyowners primarily through independent or exclusive agents. Historically, almost all insurance agents were independent business people paid on commission. More recently, many insurance companies have adopted a system where the agent is a paid employee of the firm. These agents are referred to as exclusive agents. Economists studying the differences between these two distribution systems have long argued that the independent agency system is a less efficient method of getting the product to the customer as measured by the ratio of expenses incurred to premiums written and other statistics. But recent studie... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 19 and 20.

WHEN APPLYING FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY...

When you apply for an insurance policy, you will be asked all sorts of questions. For example, the agent will ask you demographic questions such as your age, gender, address, etc. You will also be asked questions which will be used to determine what type of risk you are. For example, when a company is deciding whether or not to offer you automobile insurance, it will want to know about your driving record, whether you have any recent accidents or tickets, and what type of car you drive. This information will help them decide whether your profile is consistent with the type of risks they are trying to attract. Some insurers sp... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 19 and 20.

WHEN APPLYING FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY...

When you apply for an insurance policy, you will be asked all sorts of questions. For example, the agent will ask you demographic questions such as your age, gender, address, etc. You will also be asked questions which will be used to determine what type of risk you are. For example, when a company is deciding whether or not to offer you automobile insurance, it will want to know about your driving record, whether you have any recent accidents or tickets, and what type of car you drive. This information will help them decide whether your profile is consistent with the type of risks they are trying to attract. Some insurers sp... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 31 to 33:

The headline of the article states that "The world's three largest economies are limping", which means they are

Read the text below in order to answer questions 34 to 36:

Fed steers US rates lower by quarter point

The US Federal Reserve last night demonstrated its determination to steer the American economy away from recession when it cut its key interest rate for the seventh time this year and signalled that borrowing costs could fall again.

The Fed announced it was cutting its funds rate by a quarter of a point to 3.5 per cent, its lowest for seven years, and also reduced its largely symbolic discount rate. The discount rate fell a quarter of a point to 3 per cent, matching lows seen in the early 1990's.

In a statement released alongside the rate decision, the ... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 37 to 40:

Shocks to the system

At the start of the year, it was not uncommon to hear businessmen saying that Brazil was enjoying its best economic conditions for a generation. The country appeared to be well on the way to a period of sustained economic expansion. Most economists were looking to another strong year of growth, with gross domestic product expanding by 4.5 per cent in 2001, on top of 4 per cent in 2000. Real interest rates were about to fall to single digits for the first time in decades.

However, within just a few months, the outlook for the Brazilian economy has deteriorated dramatically. A whole series of unexpected... Ver mais