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BLACK FRIDAY OR BUY NOTHING DAY?
We talk to two young New Yorkers about Black Friday.
Thanksgiving is probably the most important national holiday in the USA. It’s on the
_______________(1) Thursday in November, and families prepare and eat special food together.
But now, the day after Thanksgiving is also an important date in the US calendar. The fourth Friday
in November is called Black Friday, and it is the busiest shopping day of the year. Why is it so
busy? After their Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, many people don’t _______________(2) to
work before the weekend and go shopping on Friday. It’s also the start of the Christmas shopping
_______________(3), and many people begin their Christmas shopping on this day.
Chantelle Davies, 21, and three friends are standing _______________(4) Macy’s on Black Friday.
“It’s 5 a.m., and this is the longest _______________(5) on 5th Avenue, but that’s OK,” she says.
“All the big _______________(6) stores have sales or give special _______________(7) on Black
Friday. I can get the best _______________(8) today.” When the doors of Macy’s open at 6 a.m.,
everyone immediately runs into the store. Half an hour later, Chantelle leaves Macy’s with three
bags _______________(9) of shopping. She shows her _______________(10)—two mobile
phones and some designer clothes for her boyfriend.
Some people, however, celebrate the Friday after Thanksgiving in a very different way. They prefer
to call this day Buy Nothing Day. Brad Simpson, 24, is at a large supermarket. “I’m not spending
my dollars today,” he says. “I’m keeping my wallet in my _______________(11). North
Americans are the biggest consumers in the world. We live in a rich country, but we always want
more things! We want to have the fastest car on the street or the latest gadget. We use credit cards
to buy unnecessary things and then have problems with _______________(12). It’s crazy. Today
my friends and I are talking to people about Buy Nothing Day. You can buy things, but you can’t
buy happiness!”
True False
1/ Black Friday is the most important holiday in the USA.
2/ Many people go shopping on Black Friday because they have the day off work.
3/ Chantelle bought only clothes for herself on Black Friday.
4/ Some people choose to observe Buy Nothing Day instead of shopping.
5/ Brad believes that spending money is the key to happiness.
6/ The text mentions that North Americans are known for their high consumption.
7/ Chantelle was in a hurry to leave Macy's after shopping.
