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The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's said that it's the
day that store ledgers(分类账)move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day,
retailers slash(砍) prices to get consumers to buy.  It is also a time when many Americans start their
Christmas shopping. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that
bargain day.
This day should be a shopper's dream. "It's just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for
a lesser price," said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it's a nightmare for others. "I think it's crazy. I've
done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don't have to go out on Friday," she said. It's called
Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it's
the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts
everywhere you look.
Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year,
many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. "This is a huge time for the retail stores,"
said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. "This is when they begin making their profits for
the year."
Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a
good indication of how consumers feel about the future.
With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending
less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are
traditionally closed.  Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning.
And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk
through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy
Thomas says it's an annual family tradition and well worth it. "I just save maybe half of what I would
have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip," she said.
Economists say U.S. consumers will spend money this Black Friday, but they will spend it more
carefully.
1. By saying "This day should be a shopper's dream", the writer means ________ .
A. shoppers have longed for this day for a long time
B. the shops will be very crowded on that day
C. the shops will keep open until the daybreak of next day
D. shoppers can buy many items at low prices on that day
2. Why are many stores increasing security according to the passage?
A. Because there are too many people saving more and spending less.
B. Because it's a time when they begin making their profits for the year.
C. Because last year a crowd of bargain-hunters caused an accident.
D. Because many stores open their doors from midnight to four a.m.
3. From the passage we know that_________.
A. Christmas shopping is traditional time and this year it is no exception.
B. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually least discounted.
C. The economy only affects consumers on that bargain day.
D. Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future.
4. We can find this passage in_________.
A. a science fiction
B. a travel brochure
C. an economic research report
D. a book on psychology
5. Why American people call it a black day?
A. Because they organize activities in honor of some great person.
B. Because there are too many people going out shopping for Christmas.
C. Too many people are celebrating Thanks giving.
D. The sky is black that day.

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