( B ) Rocketing food prices－some of which have more than doubled in two years－have
sparked riots in numerous countries recently. Millions are reeling from sticker shock and
governments are (21) to stanch a fast-moving crisis before it spins out of control. From
Mexico to Pakistan, protests have turned violent. Rioters tore through three cities in the West
African nation of Burkina Faso last month, burning government buildings and looting stores.
The forecast is (22) . Governments might quell the protests, but bringing down food
prices could take at least a decade, food analysts say. One reason: billions of people are buying
ever-greater quantities of food. Increasing meat consumption, for example, has helped drive up
demand for grain, and (23) it the price.
For the world’s poorest people, the price spikes are disastrous. Aid officials say that
millions who previously (24) enough to feed their families can no longer afford the food,
and are seeking help from relief organizations.
That could change if food riots begin to threaten the survival of governments. In many
poor countries, the protests have been fueled by pent-up anger against authoritarian or corrupt
officials, some of whom have earned fortunes from oil and minerals while locals are struggling
to buy food. Voters in Pakistan (25) President Pervez Musharraf’s party in crucial
parliamentary elections last month, in part because many could no longer afford staple foods－
and blamed the government.
【題組】25. (A) refracted (B) intercepted (C) trounced (D) abstained
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