Global Economy Under Pressure: How Interest Rates and Inflation Shape Markets

Global Economy Under Pressure: How Interest Rates and Inflation Shape Markets

Global Economy Under Pressure: How Interest Rates and Inflation Shape Markets

Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Economy (ee-KON-uh-mee) /ɪˈkɒnəmi/
Type: noun
Meaning: the system of money, jobs, and business in a country
Synonyms: financial system
Example: A strong economy creates more jobs.

Prices (PRY-siz) /ˈpraɪsɪz/
Type: noun
Meaning: how much money something costs
Synonyms: costs, rates
Example: Food prices are rising in many countries.

Market (MAR-kit) /ˈmɑːrkɪt/
Type: noun
Meaning: a place where buying and selling happen
Synonyms: trade area, marketplace
Example: The stock market changes every day.

Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

The global economy is facing many challenges today. In many countries, prices of food, fuel, and basic goods are rising. This makes daily life harder for families. When prices go up, people can buy fewer things with the same amount of money. Markets around the world are reacting to these changes. Investors watch the economy closely because market conditions affect jobs, savings, and businesses. When the economy is unstable, markets often move up and down quickly. Governments and central banks try to control prices and support the economy. Their decisions influence how markets behave and how people experience everyday life.

Comprehension Questions
Instruction: Read the sentence. Answer true or false. If false, give the correct information

TRUE OR FALSE
1. Prices are rising in many countries.
2. The economy affects daily life.
3. Markets never change.
4. Investors watch the economy closely.
5. Governments do not affect the economy.

FILL IN THE BLANKS
Choices: economy prices market

1. The global __________ is facing challenges.
2. Rising __________ make life harder.
3. The stock __________ changes daily.
4. Governments try to support the __________.
5. The __________ reacts to economic news.
Speak Up
Instruction: Answer in one short sentence.

1. How does the economy affect your daily life?
2. What prices are rising in your country?
3. Do you follow market news? Why or why not?
4. How do rising prices make people feel?
5. Why is the economy important?
Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Inflation (in-FLAY-shun) /ɪnˈfleɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: a rise in prices over time
Synonyms: price increase
Example: Inflation reduces people’s buying power.
Task: Explain inflation in your own words.

Interest (IN-trist rayts) /ˈɪntrəst reɪts/
Type: noun
Meaning: the cost of borrowing money
Synonyms: lending rates
Example: Higher interest rates make loans more expensive.
Task: Use interest rates in a sentence.

Investors (in-VES-terz) /ɪnˈvɛstərz/
Type: noun
Meaning: people or groups who put money into businesses
Synonyms: financiers, traders
Example: Investors react quickly to economic news.
Task: Who are investors in society?

Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

Global markets are under pressure as inflation remains high in many economies. Rising prices for energy, food, and services have reduced consumer spending and increased financial stress. As inflation continues, central banks have raised interest rates to slow economic activity. Higher interest rates affect businesses and households. Borrowing becomes more expensive, which can slow down investment and growth. Investors closely monitor these changes because interest rate decisions strongly influence financial markets. As a result, markets have become more volatile. Investors shift their money between stocks, bonds, and safer assets depending on economic signals. These movements show how inflation and interest rates shape global financial behavior.

Comprehension
Instruction: Answer the questions based on the article.

1. What causes pressure on global markets?
2. How does inflation affect consumers?
3. Why do central banks raise interest rates?
4. How do interest rates affect investors?
5. Why have markets become more volatile?
Speak Up
Instruction: Share your opinion and explain your answer.

1. Why is inflation a global issue?
2. How do interest rates affect borrowing?
3. Should governments control inflation? How?
4. How do investors react to uncertainty?
5. What happens when people spend less?
6. How does inflation affect savings?
7. Why do markets dislike uncertainty?
8. Should interest rates be high or low? Why?
9. How does inflation affect businesses?
10. Is inflation worse for rich or poor people?
Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Monetary (MON-uh-tair-ee POL-uh-see) /ˈmʌnɪtəri ˈpɒlɪsi/
Type: noun
Meaning: actions taken by central banks to control money supply
Synonyms: financial policy
Example: Monetary policy influences inflation and growth.
Task: Explain monetary policy in economic terms.

Volatility (vol-uh-TIL-i-tee) /ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪti/
Type: noun
Meaning: rapid and unpredictable market changes
Synonyms: instability, fluctuation
Example: Market volatility increased after rate hikes.
Task: Use volatility in a finance context.

Global (GLOH-buhl trayd) /ˈɡloʊbəl treɪd/
Type: noun
Meaning: buying and selling between countries
Synonyms: international trade
Example: Global trade slows during economic uncertainty.
Task: Explain global trade in one sentence.

Idioms / Phrasal Verbs
Instruction: Read and understand the expressions.

Cool down – slow economic activity
Example: Higher interest rates aim to cool down inflation.

Tighten policy – make financial rules stricter
Example: Central banks decided to tighten policy.

Ride out – survive a difficult period
Example: Businesses try to ride out market volatility.
Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

The global economy is navigating a period of prolonged uncertainty driven by persistent inflation, aggressive monetary policy, and fragile global trade conditions. Central banks have tightened policy through repeated interest rate hikes in an effort to control inflation, even at the risk of slowing economic growth. These policy decisions have increased market volatility, affecting equities, currencies, and bond markets worldwide. Investors are forced to reassess risk exposure as borrowing costs rise and liquidity tightens. At the same time, weaker consumer demand is placing pressure on corporate earnings. Global trade has also been affected, as higher costs and geopolitical tensions disrupt supply chains. While policymakers aim to stabilize prices, businesses and investors must ride out this challenging period until economic conditions improve.

Comprehension
Instruction: Answer the questions based on the article.

1. What factors are driving global economic uncertainty?
2. How does monetary policy affect inflation?
3. Why has market volatility increased?
4. How is global trade being affected?
5. What challenges do investors face today?
Speak Up
Instruction: Respond thoughtfully using advanced vocabulary.

1. Should central banks prioritize inflation control over growth?
2. How does volatility affect long-term investment planning?
3. What risks do high interest rates create for businesses?
4. How can countries protect global trade during crises?
5. Are tight monetary policies sustainable long term?
6. How should governments support vulnerable populations?
7. What strategies can investors use during volatility?
8. How does global trade influence domestic economies?
9. Could inflation become a permanent problem? Why?
10. What lessons can future policymakers learn from this period?
Source: BBC Business and Economy reports on inflation, interest rates, and global markets