听力原文：
Recording One

Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had 50 years ago? Therefore, you'd think we'd have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We've got triple the space, but we've become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more. This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century.
I'm here to suggest an alternative – that having less, might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I admittedly saved $ 200,000. Smaller space leads to reduce utility bills, and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it is designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I'm really excited to live there.
How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. To extend consumption, we should think before we buy, and ask yourselves, "will it truly make me happier?" Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we're going to love for years. Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six-burner stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, we need multifunctional spaces and housewares.
I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space. Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tugged away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out the wall. For gas, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed.
I'm not saying that we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves, could I do with a little life editing? Will that give me more freedom and more time?

Q16：What has prevented Americans' happiness levels from increasing?

细节推断题。讲座开头提到，美国人的空间是50年前的三倍，但他们已经成为如此热情的消费者，以至于没有足够的空间容纳自己的物品。这种现象导致信用卡欠债、环境遭到破坏、人们的幸福水平在过去的半个世纪里并没有提高。由此可知，美国人对消费的痴迷阻碍了其幸福感的提升。

听力原文：
Recording One

Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had 50 years ago? Therefore, you'd think we'd have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We've got triple the space, but we've become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more. This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century.
I'm here to suggest an alternative – that having less, might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I admittedly saved $ 200,000. Smaller space leads to reduce utility bills, and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it is designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I'm really excited to live there.
How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. To extend consumption, we should think before we buy, and ask yourselves, "will it truly make me happier?" Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we're going to love for years. Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six-burner stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, we need multifunctional spaces and housewares.
I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space. Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tugged away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out the wall. For gas, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed.
I'm not saying that we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves, could I do with a little life editing? Will that give me more freedom and more time?

Q17：What things should we possess according to the speaker?

细节辨认题。讲座中提到，我们应该拥有一些好东西，一些我们能珍惜多年的东西。由此可知，讲话者认为我们应该拥有值得我们珍惜的东西。

听力原文：
Recording One

Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had 50 years ago? Therefore, you'd think we'd have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We've got triple the space, but we've become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more. This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century.
I'm here to suggest an alternative – that having less, might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I admittedly saved $ 200,000. Smaller space leads to reduce utility bills, and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it is designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I'm really excited to live there.
How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. To extend consumption, we should think before we buy, and ask yourselves, "will it truly make me happier?" Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we're going to love for years. Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six-burner stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, we need multifunctional spaces and housewares.
I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space. Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tugged away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out the wall. For gas, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed.
I'm not saying that we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves, could I do with a little life editing? Will that give me more freedom and more time?

Q18：What do we learn about the items in the speaker's home?

细节推断题。讲座中提到，我们需要多功能的空间和家庭用品。讲话者家中的咖啡桌增大后可容纳十个人，他的办公室很容易藏起来，床能够从墙上弹出来。由此可知，讲话者家里的物品是多功能的。