請依下文回答第 46 題至第 50 題 Ponzi and pyramid schemes are both investment frauds. They both involve deceiving others by promising substantialincome or returns on an investor’s initial investment. Unlike a regular investment, these schemes can offer consistentprofits only as long as the number of investors continues to increase. Once the number tapers off, so does the money. Butthere are inherent differences between the two.
The investment manager of a Ponzi scheme will promise you substantially higher returns than any traditionalinvestment with little to no risk. Investment strategies are often too complicated to understand and you may not receiveany financial documents. The “returns” actually come from the incoming funds contributed by later investors. Pyramid schemes similarly offer big returns for little investment capital. However, they require individuals to payan entrance fee and/or purchase products/services in order to participate. These people are then required to bring in morepeople to the scheme.
People at the top are paid the most, receiving a portion of the money that the new recruits contribute.Those at the bottom of the pyramid make little to nothing, especially when no new individuals are recruited.
【題組】50 What does “taper off” mean?
(A) Grow.
(B) Decline.
(C) Fluctuate.
(D) Average.