1 . For many consumers, low prices are often equal to cheap products. While everyone loves a good bargain (特价商品), low prices can harm how your product is viewed. Instead of getting a great deal, customers often believe that you get what you pay for. Though everyday low-pricing strategies can work for some companies, they’re not always the best idea for certain lines of business.

Consumer perceptions play a significant role in strategic pricing. Despite all the promotions surrounding great deals, it turns out that cheaper isn’t always better. Research from Vanderbilt University suggests that low prices can backfire because consumers sometimes see them as signs of low-quality products. However, researchers also found that consumers sometimes see low prices as simply good deals. Shoppers’ perceptions depend on what they’re thinking about when deciding whether or not to buy a product.

If consumers come across a low-priced product or service, they may see it as either a good deal or not worth their time and money. How consumers think about price is just as important as the actual price itself.

Consumers rarely have complete information and use various strategies to fill gaps in their knowledge when considering products. One strategy involves using naive theories: informal explanations used by consumers to make sense of their environment. A consumer may perceive an upscale (高档的) company’s prices are too high or assume discount retailers’ (零售店) products are inferior (次的) due to its reputation being associated with lower quality items than other stores selling similar goods.

Companies can influence how customers feel about their low prices by conducting market research and improving marketing strategies focused on highlighting product quality rather than just value alone which tends towards making people rate cheaper products more favorably. When companies focus on the product quality in marketing materials, consumers look more favorably upon more expensive products. However, when companies focus on value, consumers rate cheap products more favorably.

Businesses can also identify their customer base and narrow their marketing efforts to become perceived as a specialist. This leaves customers less likely to question pricing strategies because they trust that the company knows what it’s doing and has done its research into what works best for them.

1. What does research from Vanderbilt University suggest?

A．Strategic pricing determines shoppers’ perceptions.

B．Promotions are linked with high-quality products.

C．Consumers only see low prices as a real bargain.

D．Consumers’ perceptions of low prices vary greatly.

2. What does the underline word “backfire” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Produce an opposite result.	B．Cause a serious explosion.
C．Meet people’s expectations.	D．Have a positive effect.

3. How can companies influence consumers’ feelings about their low prices?

A．By emphasizing product quality.	B．By targeting a wider audience.
C．By offering more promotions.	D．By lowering prices even further.

4. What is the best title of this article?

A．Low prices are always a good thing for businesses

B．Low prices can sometimes scare off customers

C．Companies should focus on value rather than quality

D．Companies should ignore consumers’ perceptions of price

2 . Whether you’re moving across the country or across the world, it’s important to choose a moving company that’s the right fit for your exact needs or budget. Read about the top packing and moving companies with our guide covering pros and cons, offerings, and customer reviews.

With over 90 years of experience, the moving company has finished over 750,000 moves in different states in the U.S. in the last 15 years alone.

Pros and Cons

✔ Available for local, long-distance and international moves

✔ Great customer service

✘ Discount information is not readily available

AVL focuses on providing highly experienced and skillful movers to your packing services. The moving company provides its services in every state.

Pros and Cons

✔ Highly skilled movers with an average of 10 years of experience

✔ Promises to match or beat the price if the same service is found at a lower cost

✘ An up-front deposit is required

✘ Limited pricing information online

IVL provides its packing and moving services for both local and long-distance moves in all 50 states, as well as 180 countries. And the company allows you to have control over your packing experience.

Pros and Cons

✔ Specialty services for difficult items such as artwork, antiques and pianos

✔ Protection plans with an adjustable coverage cap

✘ Customer reviews mention the difficulty in communication at times

This full-service moving company has more than 80 years of moving experience and a network of more than 500 locations nationwide.

Pros and Cons

✔ Online shipment tracking

✔ Moving containers available for interstate moves

✘ Service and experience may vary by agent

✘ No instant online quotes

1. Which of the following companies rates highest?

A．Allied.	B．American Van Lines.
C．International Van Lines.	D．North American Moving Services.

2. What is the advantage of American Van Lines?

A．It gives pricing information online.

B．It is experienced in packing expensive items.

C．It has moving containers for interstate moves.

D．It guarantees the lowest price of the same service.

3. What do the four companies have in common according to the text?

A．They feature highly skilled movers.

B．They have over 80 years of experience.

C．They can provide moving services nationwide.

D．They can offer services for customized packing.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the woman call?

A．To cancel an order.

B．To extend the payment.

C．To confirm the delivery.

2. When will the cash flow problem be solved?

A．After delivering the new order.

B．After making another new order.

C．After finding an important customer.

3. What does the woman think of the man?

A．Helpful.

B．Strict.

C．Disappointing.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the problem of the woman’s bike?

A．The Start button is broken.

B．It is a wrong model.

C．LCD screen does not work.

2. What is the reservation date for the repair?

A．November 23rd.

B．December 8th.

C．September 20th.

3. What is the customer’s name?

A．Linda Swollen.

B．Lisa Sloan.

C．Liz Slogan.

4. How does the woman feel towards the solution to the problem?

A．Ungrateful.

B．Annoyed.

C．Satisfied.