Advertising actually has a dual(双重的)function: to sell, as well as to inform. If you stop to think of

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  Advertising actually has a dual(双重的)function: to sell, as well as to inform. If you stop to think of it, advertisements(ads)provide information of almost everything in our household and immediate environment, from shampoo to fuel for cars. An obvious purpose is to inform consumers of new products and services as well as to remind them of established ones. Performance, price, value for money, quality and reliability are some of the main features mentioned in ads.
Yet there is another important side of advertising that should not be forgotten: choice. A number of ads for different brands of the same product. e.g. toothpaste, shampoo or washing powder allow the consumer to choose. Choice is an important part of buying.
        In this busy day and age, there is little time for____43____.To determine which product is the best to buy, and at the most competitive price, consumers these days rely on advertising in its various forms. This saves time and energy and makes shopping easier.
Few can deny that ads benefit the consumer since they encourage healthy competition. When companies compete for the consumer’s dollar, this is good for the purchaser of the product or service. Advertising tends to increase competition since it informs consumers of what is available. One company’s offer will be either matched or bettered by another company in its advertising.
It was unheard of ten years ago to buy products directly using a personal computer, but it has become a matter of course for some people to browse(浏览)the Internet, surf until they find an e commerce site and then select the product. Marketing products has been almost turned upside down by new ways of selling and buying. More than at any time in history, the choice of goods is unlimited. The whole world is a customer’s marketplace. For busy people like you and me, advertisements actually do us a favor.
43. What the writer of this passage wants to tell us most is that—————————.
A. advertisements benefit busy people in many ways
B. advertisements encourage more business competitions
C. advertisements provide main features of new products
D. selling and informing are two functions of advertising
44. Which is least discussed in the passage as, one of the important sides of advertising?
A. To inform consumers of new products and services.
B. To provide consumers with chances to choose.
C. To increase healthy competition of companies.
D. To change the way of selling and buying.
45. The“comparison shopping”refers to the behavior of      .
A. comparing and buying a product at the lowest price
B. comparing and deciding which is the best to buy
C. relying on advertising and simplifying shopping
D. buying a product at the least competitive price
46. Healthy competition benefits consumers because—————————.
A. it helps companies to compete for the market
B. it gets companies to improve their services
C. it provides them with the best products and services
D. it gives them many chances to choose their products
【答案】43. A    44. D    45. B    46. D
【解析】
本文属于议论文，主要分析了广告对消费者的好处，它可以能够让人们了解新的产品和服务，给人们提供了选择的机会，同时增加了公司直接的健康的竞争关系。
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【43题详解】
目的意图题。根据文章首尾句Advertising actually has a dual(双重的)function: to sell, as well as to inform. For busy people like you and me, advertisements actually do us a favor.可知广告有双重功能：销售和告知。对于忙碌的人来说，广告帮助节省了很多时间，实际上对人们是有好处的。故A项正确。
【44题详解】
细节理解题。作者在2、3、4三段中分别介绍了广告能够让人们了解新的产品和服务，给人们提供了选择的机会，同时增加了公司直接的健康的竞争关系。在第五段中提到最新的网络购物改变了人们买卖的方法，但这并不是广告的作用。故D项符合题意。
【45题详解】
词义猜测题。根据第三段第二句To determine which product is the best to buy, and at the most competitive price, consumers these days rely on advertising in its various forms.可知通过广告，消费者可以了解不同公司的产品的特点并进行比较，最后做出明智的买卖选择。所以该词表示B项含义。故选B。
【46题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段第二句When companies compete for the consumer’s dollar, this is good for the purchaser of the product or service.可知公司之间进行健康的竞争时，可以给消费者提供多种机会来选择产品。这对消费者来说是有益的。故D项正确。