【正确答案】As an example of contrast effect, the professor relates his own experience of changing apartments.
According to the lecture, the professor was trying to rent an apartment. After looking at a number of dark, poor quality flats, he was shown one somewhat better. He immediately rented it, only to find his new home too small for all his furniture. Also, the lighting and cleanliness were below his usual standards. He realizes now that having seen too many apartments with poor facilities affected his ability to discern a good apartment. The advice he gives is that people need to take time when making important decisions. This helps reduce the contrast effect.

【答案解析】[听力原文]
M: I realize the definition of contrast effect may seem a bit difficult. But, as with so much of psychology, you'll find that the frightening terminology actually covers up something fairly obvious once you know where to look. Take myself as an example.
Last month I moved house. The first seven or eight apartments I looked at were all small, dark, and basically crap. Not the kind of place I'd want to live. Then the agent showed me a larger one, better lighted, and fairly clean. "Great," I said, "I'll take it!"
But come moving day, that wonderful new apartment turned out to be too small for all my furniture and things. Plus, it's OK in terms of light and cleanliness. But it's not all that great. Not as good as my old place. But...I've already signed the contract, so there's not much I can do now.
The point is, when I rented this apartment, I was comparing it with all the really bad places I had just seen. I wasn't asking myself what I truly needed and whether the apartment actually was a nice place. My impatience got the better of me. I should have waited a day or two to think over the choice. Otherwise, I am making decisions half- blind as it were.

Alternative Wording(替换表达)
Synonyms (a)poor quality—substandard (b)immediately—without hesitation
(c)affect—interfere with, hamper (d)take time—show patience
Paraphrases 1. He came across a somewhat better flat, having been shown a number of places that were unacceptable.
2. He counsels people to be patient when contemplating an important decision./He advises taking one's time when making important decisions.