英语听力精选进阶版 6446

Do you like shopping? Or does the thought of traipsing round the shops fill you with dread¹? For some of us, shopping is an enjoyable way of spending our leisure time and our money. For me, it's something I would rather avoid. Thank goodness for the internet!

We know that shopping online is increasingly popular. The British are particularly good at it. We are one of the nations that does the most online shopping.

It's more convenient to buy CDs, electrical items, even food, from the comfort of your sofa. But that's not the only reason: price is an important factor. We can buy goods and services cheaper online. But sometimes the problem is knowing what to buy. This has led to a type of shopping called 'showrooming'.

Showrooming is something I've done. I go into a shop to browse². I can see, touch and try out products but then go home and buy them online at a knock-down price. I'm not alone in doing this. Research by a company called Foolproof, found 24% of people showroomed while Christmas shopping in 2012.

Amy Cashman, who is Head of Technology at TNS UK, says the reasons for this new shopping habit are that "people are short on time, short on money and they want reassurance³ about the products they are buying." She explains that consumers are not only shopping online at home but they are using the internet in-store or on their smartphones to shop around so they can "get to the bottom of where they can find a cheaper price elsewhere but also get information [and] product reviews."

But does this mean technology will kill the high street? Certainly shops will change. They will have to offer more competitive⁴ prices or offer other incentives⁵ by giving exclusive⁶ in-store discounts or free gifts.

We mustn't forget that buying in a shop means you can get expert advice from the sales assistant and you can get good aftercare. It's good to speak to a real human rather than look at a faceless computer screen but at least by showrooming, you get the best of both worlds!

Quiz 测验

1. According to the author, which nation does the most shopping online?

Britain.

2. True or false? You can buy many products cheaper online.

True. We can buy goods and services cheaper online.

3. What term does the author use to mean cheaper or lower prices?

A knock-down price.

4. Name something that high street shops should do if they want to compete with the internet.

Offer competitive prices, discounts or free gifts.

5. Who can give you expert advice in a shop?

The sales assistant.

Glossary 词汇表

traipsing 闲荡

leisure time 闲暇时间

convenient 方便的，便利的

browse 浏览

knock-down price 杀的很低的价钱

reassurance 放心，安心

get to the bottom of 弄清…底细

product reviews 产品评价

the high street 商业街

competitive 有竞争性的

incentives 刺激，奖励

discounts 折价，打折

aftercare 售后服务

1 dread   

vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧

参考例句：

• We all dread to think what will happen if the company closes.我们都不敢去想一旦公司关门我们该怎么办。
• Her heart was relieved of its blankest dread.她极度恐惧的心理消除了。

2 browse   

vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草

参考例句：

• I had a browse through the books on her shelf.我浏览了一下她书架上的书。
• It is a good idea to browse through it first.最好先通篇浏览一遍。

3 reassurance   

n.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• He drew reassurance from the enthusiastic applause.热烈的掌声使他获得了信心。
• Reassurance is especially critical when it comes to military activities.消除疑虑在军事活动方面尤为关键。

4 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

5 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

6 exclusive   

adj.不包括的，不算在内的，独有的，独享的

参考例句：

• The hotel charges 6 pounds a day,exclusive of meals.这家旅馆一天收六英镑，不包括饭钱。
• This bathroom is for the President's exclusive use.这间浴室是总统专用的。