Robert F. Kennedy once said that a country’s GDP measures “everything except that which makes life worthwhile.” With Britain voting to leave the European Union, and GDP already predicted to slow as a result, it is now a timely moment to assess what he was referring to.

The question of GDP and its usefulness has annoyed policymakers for over half a century. Many argue that it is a flawed concept. It measures things that do not matter and misses things that do. By most recent measures, the UK’s GDP has been the envy of the Western world, with record low unemployment and high growth figures. If everything was going so well, then why did over 17 million people vote for Brexit, despite the warnings about what it could do to their country’s economic prospects?

A recent annual study of countries and their ability to convert growth into well-being sheds some light on that question. Across the 163 countries measured, the UK is one of the poorest performers in ensuring that economic growth is translated into meaningful improvements for its citizens. Rather than just focusing on GDP, over 40 different sets of criteria from health, education and civil society engagement have been measured to get a more rounded assessment of how countries are performing.

While all of these countries face their own challenges, there are a number of consistent themes. Yes, there has been a budding economic recovery since the 2008 global crash, but in key indicators in areas such as health and education, major economies have continued to decline. Yet this isn’t the case with all countries. Some relatively poor European countries have seen huge improvements across measures including civil society, income equality and the environment.

This is a lesson that rich countries can learn: When GDP is no longer regarded as the sole measure of a country’s success, the world looks very different.

So, what Kennedy was referring to was that while GDP has been the most common method for measuring the economic activity of nations, as a measure, it is no longer enough. It does not include important factors such as environmental quality or education outcomes—all things that contribute to a person’s sense of well-being.

The sharp hit to growth predicted around the world and in the UK could lead to a decline in the everyday services we depend on for our well-being and for growth. But policymakers who refocus efforts on improving well-being rather than simply worrying about GDP figures could avoid the forecasted doom and may even see progress.

1.Robert F. Kennedy is cited because he _________

A praised the UK for its GDP.

B identified GDP with happiness.

C misinterpreted the role of GDP.

D had a low opinion of GDP.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。题目问的是Robert被引用是因为什么。根据Robert定位到第一段第一句，可知他认为一个国家的GDP可以衡量所有东西，除了让生活有意义的事。这个观点摆明了Robert对GDP持不欣赏的态度。D项是对原文的概括性描述。故选D。

2.It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that _________

A the UK is reluctant to remold its economic pattern.

B the UK will contribute less to the world economy.

C GDP as the measure of success is widely defied in the UK.

D policymakers in the UK are paying less attention to GDP.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据题目定位到第二段。可知GDP其实忽视了很多关键的东西，并不能衡量幸福，然后拿英国作为例子进一步阐述，表明英国GDP不错，但人们却要脱欧来改变现状，暗示人们的生活其实并不好，与C形成正话反说。故选C。

3.Which of the following is true about the recent annual study?

A It excludes GDP as an indicator.

B It is sponsored by 163 countries.

C Its criteria are questionable.

D Its results are enlightening.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据recent annual study定位到第三段第一句A recent annual study...and...sheds some light on that question，其中shed light on是“照亮；阐释”的意思，跟D项的enlighten“启发”是同义转换。故选D。

4.In the last two paragraphs, the author suggests that _________

A the UK is preparing for an economic boom.

B high GDP foreshadows an economic decline.

C it is essential to consider factors beyond GDP.

D it requires caution to handle economic issues.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据题干定位到最后两段。根据第六段表明GDP不靠谱，没有包含所有个人幸福的要素。最后一段明确表达制定政策的人要关注改善福利，而不是简单关注GDP数字。这些都与C项相符。故选C。

5.Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A High GDP But Inadequate Well-being, a UK lesson

B GDP figures, a Window on Global Economic Health

C Robert F. Kennedy, a Terminator of GDP

D Brexit, the UK’s Gateway to Well-being

解析：选A。A主旨大意题。第一段第一句引用名人名言，指明GDP不靠谱；第二句拿英国脱欧举例，证明其有理。第二段继续说英国GDP高，但人们要求脱欧，说明人们的日子并不好过。第三、四段分析为啥英国人不乖乖听话过日子，原来是福利在后退。第五段直接说富裕国家要引以为戒：This is a lesson that rich countries can learn。整篇文章的主题就是GDP不靠谱，福利不给力不行，英国脱欧是例证。A项正好包括此三个要素：High GDP、Inadequate Well-being和a UK lesson。故选A。