The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving
is called Black Friday. It’s said that it’s the day that store ledgers(分類賬)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.
