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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 so many things in the sales; where did they all come from?
Now I know the secret! Firstly, there is the special winter stock (货物) 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 out 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 was already a queue 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 charged 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 crawl (爬行) through people's legs and get
hold of things they couldn't get near themselves.
Within minutes I had half a dozen people pushing clothes under my nose, each wanting to be the first
served. Where had the famous English Queue gone? The whole day continued like that, but I kept my
temper (脾气)! I was taking money hand over fist and began to realize why, twice a year, Graham's were
happy to turn their 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 a bargain it was OK.
You won't believe this but as soon as I got home I crashed outfor four hours. Then I had dinner and
went back to bed, fearing the sound of the alarm which would tell me to get ready for the second day of
the sale.
1. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The customers gave up the queuing for which the English are famous.
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.
2. In the author's opinion, why were Graham's happy to make their expensive store into"Battlefield?
A. There were too many clothes and they wanted to clear them in the sales.
B. They were eager to show that they were clever at doing business.
C. They could take the chance to raise the prices of all their clothes.
D. They wanted to make more money by having sales.
3. The expression "crashed out" means _______.
A. chatted with her friends
B. slept soundly
C. broke down
D. dined out
4. 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.

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