文章大意：这是一篇夹叙夹议文。主要讲述了一个有趣的现象，阐述了人们在面对免费产品时心理的变化，往往会高估免费产品的价值并被其诱导而做出不经济的决策，同时本文也提醒读者，在面临购买决策时，要全面考虑产品的成本和收益，并留意背后的意图，避免受到免费赠品的影响而做出错误的决定。
10 . A few years ago, I went shopping with a friend for a new motorcycle. He didn’t have a particular brand or model in mind except two standards. A big engine—since too much horsepower is never enough—and since he’s tall, a relatively relaxed riding position.
I suggested a Hayabusa, which met his standards or an XS-14R. Both were within his budget, especially the Hayabusa since the dealer was offering a $2,500 discount on a previous year’s model.
He rode them both and loved them both. But then he became very interested in a ZX-6R KRT—a great motorcycle, sure, but with a much smaller motor and a riding position that made him look like a contorted mantis (变形的螳螂). It seemed like a strange choice.
I felt puzzled until it hit me. The purchase of any motorcycle 750cc and under came with a free helmet (头盔). Since my friend also wanted a new helmet, getting one for free was extremely attractive. After all, the math didn’t work. We eventually negotiated $3,200 off the price of the Hayabusa. The free helmet was only worth $250. However, my friend’s final decision was ZX-6R KRT with a free helmet.
A 2017 study published in Marketing Science found that people tend to significantly overvalue “free”. When faced with a choice of selecting one of several available products, people will choose the option with the highest cost-benefit difference; however, decisions about free (zero-price) products differ, because people do not simply take away costs from benefits but instead, consider the benefits associated with free products to be higher.
Two months later, my friend traded in his 6R for a 14R. But I don’t think badly of him. We’ve all been blinded by the power of “free”. So whenever something is free, stop and consider the intention, and see “free” as a reason to do even more math.
1. What kind of motorcycle did the author’s friend intend to buy?
| A．A good second-hand one. | B．A previous year’s Hayabusa. |
| C．A highly fashionable XS-14R. | D．A powerful and comfortable one. |
2. What aspect of the ZX-6R KRT attracted the author’s friend most?
| A．Its price. | B．The motorcycle’s 750cc engine. |
| C．Its free gift. | D．The motorcycle’s classical design. |
3. Why does the author mention the 2017 study?
| A．To offer his friend a better purchase plan. |
| B．To stress the importance of negotiating skills. |
| C．To tell readers how to get more zero-price products. |
| D．To explain why his friend made such an unwise choice. |
4. What does the text mainly talk about?
| A．It’s time to stop doing the math. | B．“Free” is sometimes the worst deal. |
| C．Getting something for free is so fun. | D．We all love to buy something on sale. |
