【2000年阅读Text 1，第1段】A history of long and effortless success can be a dreadful handicap, but, if properly handled, it may become a driving force. When the United States entered just such a glowing period after the end of the Second World War, it had a market eight times larger than any competitor, giving its industries unparalleled economies of scale.

　　4.handicap

　　v. 妨碍，使...不利

　　癖义：n. 障碍;残障

     【例句】

　　Being a foreigner is not a handicap.

　　身为外国人并不是一个障碍。

　　5.competitor

　　n.竞争者，对手

     【例句】

　　The bank isn't performing as well as some of its competitors.

　　这家银行表现得不如几家竞争对手出色。

　　6.unparalleled

　　adj.无比的，空前的

   【例句】

    The country is facing an unparalleled crisis.

    该国正面临着一场前所未有的危机。