III. Reading Comprehension

　　Section A There are two reading passages in this section. Each passage is followed by 5 questions. Each question is provided with four answers marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the ONE that best answers the question.

　　Passage 1

　　On the death of his wealthy old father, Duncan inherited a lot of money and property, but though his father had always been a very generous man, Duncan was of a very different character. In fact, a lot of people who knew him called him a miser.

　　This was not quite right, because misers usually spend as little of their wealth on themselves as they give away. But Duncan was not like that at all. He had always liked to feel rich; to have the best of everything for himself, go to the best restaurants, stay in the best hotels, have beautiful houses and expensive holidays.

　　Duncan had never had a job, and while his father was alive, he had at first been kept on rather a small allowance. Duncan had asked his father several times whether he could increase this, but his father knew about the young man’s extravagant ways and in his wisdom, always refused to do so.

　　But then, when Duncan was twenty-one, the old man, who was already sixty-five and retired, suggested that he should marry. “I’m feeling old,” he said to his son, “and I’d like to see some grandchildren before I die.”

　　Duncan was not keen to have the expense of a wife, and then children, but his father said, “If you marry, I’ll increase your allowance in exchange.”

　　“By how much?” Duncan said. “Wife and children cost a lot of money.”

　　His father, laughed and answered, “I’ll multiply it by three.”

　　“All right,” said Duncan. He already had a girlfriend, so he asked her to marry him, and she agreed.

　　But Duncan did not spend much of his increased allowance on his wife, nor on his children when they came. His wife always smelt expensive, because Duncan loved to have the luxury of the best scents around him, but he did not give her any jewelry, saying that she would inherit plenty when his mother died. His wife did not feel very happy about this, as Duncan’s mother was only forty-five years old.

　　Duncan also continued to spend as much money as he could get on luxuries for himself.

　　One day he had just had lunch by himself at a very expensive restaurant, where every dish always tasted perfect, and had walked past the doorman, who had brought his car to the front for him, without giving him a tip.

　　The doorman, who looked splendid in his beautiful uniform, helped him into his car and then said politely, “In case you lose your wallet on your way home, sir, please remember that you didn’t pull it out of your pocket here.”

　　51. It would not be suitable to call Duncan a miser because D .

　　A. he spent little of his wealth on himself B. he gave his things to others without payment

　　C. he did both A and B D. he did A but not B

　　52. At first, Duncan had been kept on a rather small allowance. C

　　A. observed B. protected C. provided for D. employed

　　53. Duncan did not spend much…on his children when they came. B

　　A. arrived B. were born C. moved up D. began

　　54. The restaurant where Duncan had lunch one day was very good because A .

　　A. every dish always tasted perfect B. there was a doorman at service

　　C. he could enter it in his car D. tip was forbidden there

　　55. When the doorman said “In case…,” he meant B .

　　A. trouble B. anger C. mischief D. well

　　Passage 2

　　Are you a compulsive spender, or do you hold on to your money as long as possible? Are you a bargain hunter? Would you rather use charge accounts than pay cash? Your answer to those questions will reflect your personality. According to psychologists, our individual money habits not only show our beliefs and values, but can also develop from past problems.

　　Experts in psychology believe that for many people, money is an important symbol of strength and influence. Husbands who complain about their wives’ spending habits may be afraid that they are losing power in their marriage. Wives, on the other hand, may waste huge amounts of money because they are angry with their husbands. In addition, many people consider money a symbol of love. They spend it on their families and friends to express love, or they buy themselves expensive presents because they need love.

　　People can be addicted to different things, for example, alcohol, drugs, certain foods, or even television. They are compulsive in their addictions, that is, they must satisfy these needs to feel comfortable. In the same way, according to psychologists, compulsive spenders must spend more money. For those who buy on credit, furthermore, charge accounts are even more exciting than money: in other words, these people feel that with credit they can do anything. Their pleasure at spending enormous amounts is actually greater than the pleasure they get from the things they buy.

　　There is even a special psychology of bargain hunting. To save money, of course, most people look for sales, low prices, and discounts. Compulsive bargain hunters, however, often buy things that they don’t need just because they are cheap. They want to believe that they are helping their budget, but they are really playing an exciting game: when they can buy something for less than other people, they are winning.

　　It is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, but also business people. Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business. They consider people’s needs for love, power or influence, as well as their values, beliefs and opinions, in their advertising and sales methods.

　　Psychologists often use a method called “behavior therapy” to help individuals solve their personality problems. In the same way, they can help people who feel that they have problems with money. They give them “assignments.” If a person buys something in every store that he enters, for instance, a therapist might teach him self-discipline in this way. On the first day of his therapy, he must go into a store, stay for five minutes, and then leave. On the second day, he should stay for ten minutes and try something on. On the third day he stays for fifteen minutes, asks the sales clerk a question, but does not buy anything. Soon he will learn that nothing bad will happen to him if he doesn’t buy anything, and he can solve the problem of his compulsive buying.

　　56. For many people, money is an important symbol of _____B_____.

　　A. beliefs and values B. power and influence

　　C. pleasure D. personality

　　57. When wives are angry with their husbands, they tend to ____D_______.

　　A. worry about their power in marriage

　　B. become compulsive spenders

　　C. consider money a symbol of love

　　D. buy expensive presents for families and friends

　　58. According to psychologists, compulsive spenders must spend more money because ____D______.

　　A. they’re addicted to buying things

　　B. they’re compulsive in their addictions

　　C. they must satisfy their needs to feel comfortable

　　D. all of the above

　　59. Charge accounts are even more exciting than money in that ____A______.

　　A. they enables people to do anything B. they made people feel pleased

　　C. they have enormous amounts D. none of the above

　　60. Compulsive bargain hunters often ___D_____.

　　A. look for reduced prices B. buy inexpensive goods

　　C. help their budget D. both a) and b)

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