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　　Wise buying is a positive way in which you can make your money go further．The way you go about purchasing an article or a service can actually 　　1　　 your money or can add 　　2　　 the cost．

　　Take the 　　3　　 example of a hairdryer．If you are buying a hairdryer, you might think that you are making the 　　4　　 buy if you choose one whose look you like and which is also the cheapest 　　5　　 price．But when you get it home you may find that it 　　6　　 twice as long as a more expensive model to dry your hair．The cost of the electricity plus the cost of your time could well 　　7　　 your hairdryer the most expensive one of all．

　　So what principles should you adopt when you go out shopping?If you 　　8　　 your home, your car or any valuable 　　9　　 in excellent condition, you’ll be saving money in the long run．

　　Before you buy a new appliance, talk to someone who owns one．If you can, use it or borrow it to check whether it suits your particular 　　10　　．Before you buy an expensive item or a service, do check the price and what is on offer．If possible, choose from three items or three estimates．

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阅读理解

　　Your home in 2007 will have fewer wires, cleaner air, and a group of fun products to keep you healthy, informed, and entertained．In its latest technology forecast, Battelle has announced what it expects will be the most important technological breakthroughs in household products over the next few years．

　　1．Disappearing Cords and Cables．Wires will begin to disappear from view in homes as we move toward wireless communication, data transmission and energy distribution．That means more cordless telephones, wireless connectors to the Internet, and even electric lamps and small appliances that don't have to be plugged in．These energy-saving products include roofing boards that serve as solar-collectors, reducing the need for electricity transferred by wires to homes．

　　2．Home Waste Management．Imagine an in-home system that sorts, recycles and deals with home waste－getting rid of the need for hand sorting．We may even see the development of systems for at-home water treatment and recycling．

　　3．Highly Miniaturized Communication and Electronic Products．In a few years, we will have developed wristwatch-size phones and highly specialized, hand-held, wireless computers that will help us perform a variety of day-to-day activities, from managing your banking and investments to planning your weekend entertainment．

　　4．Virtual Reality Products．Virtual projections and sound environments will be used to increase computer games, music systems, video entertainment systems, and exercise equipment．We will see a convergence(汇聚点)of home entertainment, information, and exercise．

　　5．Electronic Commerce．We will enjoy electronic shopping and banking, including financial transactions(金融交易)that are error-free, safe, easy to use, and low cost．

　　6．Voice-controlled Products．Products．throughout the home, such as televisions, computers, lights, and other electronic instruments, will be operated by voice commands．

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阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

　　About 10 years ago, I started a job as a trainer for a telemarketing agency．In one of my first classes, the head trainer told a very inspiring story．

　　He began by drawing a stickman standing in the middle of a circle．To make it more interesting, he drew things like a house, a car, and a few friends inside the circle．

　　He asked the question, "Can anyone tell me what this is?" In a long silence, one guy decided to throw out "the world?" The trainer said, "That's close and this is your Comfort Zone．Inside your circle you have all the things that are important to you．"

　　"Your home, your family, your friends, and your job．People feel that inside this circle they are safe from any danger or conflict．"

　　"Can anyone tell me what happens when you step out of this circle?" A strong silence came over the room．The same eager guy abruptly announced, "You are afraid．"

　　Another guy said, "You make mistakes．" The silence continued and the trainer smiled and said, "When you make mistakes, what can the result be?"

　　The first guy shouted, "You learn something．"

　　"Exactly, you are learning．" The trainer turned to the board and drew an arrow pointing from the stickman directly to the outside of the circle．He continued to say, "When you leave your Comfort Zone you put yourself out there, in front of the world to be in situations that you are not comfortable with．"

　　"The end result is that you have learned something that you did not know and you expand your knowledge to become a better person．" He turned again to the board and drew a bigger circle around the original circle, and added a few new things like more friends, a bigger house, etc．

　　"The moral of the story is that if you stay inside your Comfort Zone, you will never be able to expand your horizons and learn．When you step out of your Comfort Zone you will eventually make your circle bigger and your mind grow stronger, and all in all a better person．"

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