Passage Four
I needed to get some money, so, after Christmas, I took a job in the clothes department at Graham’s for the first fortnight of the January sale. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.
I could never understand why there were many things in the sales; where did they come from? Now I know the secret! Firstly, there is the special winter sack and the stock that people buy all the year round; some of these things are slightly reduced. Secondly, there are the summer clothes they couldn’t sell last year; these are heavily reduced to clear them. Thirdly, there are cheap clothes bought in specially for the sales; these are put at high prices ten days before the sale begins and then are reduced by 60% in the sale. Clever! Lastly, they buy in “seconds”( clothes not in perfect condition) for the sale and they are sold very cheaply.
When I arrived half an hour before opening on the first day of the sale, there were already queues around three sides of the building. This made me very nervous.
When the big moment arrived to open the doors, the security guards, looking less confident than usual, came up to them, keys in hand. The moment they had unlocked the doors, they hid behind the doors for protection as the noisy crowd crowded in. I couldn’t believe my eyes: this wasn’t shopping, it was a battlefield. One poor lady couldn’t keep her feet and was knocked over by people pushing from behind.
Clothes were flying in all directions as people searched for the sizes, colors and styles they wanted. Quarrels broke out. Mothers were using their small children to craw through people’s legs and get hold of things they couldn’t get near themselves.
Within minutes I had half a dozen people pushing under my nose, each wanting to be the first served. Where had the famous queue gone? The whole day continued like that, but I kept my temper ! I was taking money hand over fist and began to realize why, twice a year, Graham’s is happy to turn the expensive store into a battlefield like this.
In the sale fever, people were spending money like water without thinking whether they needed what they were buying. As long as it was bargain it was OK.
You won’t believe this, but as soon as I got home I crashed out for four hours. Then I had dinner and went back to bed, feeling the sound of the alarm which would tell me to get ready for the second day of the sale.
36. What kind of clothes is likely to be sold 5% cheaper?
A. Last summer’s clothes.
B. Clothes not in perfect condition.
C. Clothes bought in specially for the sales.
D. Clothes for winter.
37. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The customers gave up the manners, which the English are famous for.
B. The customers kept their temper while looking for clothes they wanted.
C. Small children enjoyed crawling through people’s legs.
D. The security guards were fearless of the crowd.
38. In the author’s opinion, why is Graham’s happy to make the expensive store into a “battlefield”?
A. There are too many clothes and they want to clear them in the sales.
B. They are eager to show that they are clever at doing business.
C. They can take the chance to raise the prices of all their clothes.
D. They want to make more money by having sales.
39. The expression “crashed out ” means .
A. chatted with friends B. slept soundly
C. broke down D. dined out
40. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. The Best Bargain B. Hunting for a Job
C. Sale Fever D. A Pleasant Fortnight
答案：
36. ［答案］D
［解析］事实细节题。由第二段 “Firstly, there is the special winter sack and the stock that people buy all the year round; some of these things are slightly reduced. ” 可知正确答案D。
37. ［答案］A
［解析］事实细节题。可通过排除法，通过文章第四段和第五段排除B，C，D选项。
38. ［答案］D
［解析］推理判断题。可由文章第六段推出正确选项为D。
39. ［答案］B
［解析］词义猜测题。可由下文的 “… and went back to bed”推知，正确答案为B。
40. ［答案］C
［解析］主旨大意题。通读全文可知文章在描述服装店热卖的情景，因此正确答案为C。
