| The American need to own things is
partly the result of mass advertising,{{U}} (26) {{/U}}urges consumers
to discard last year' s car or clothing in{{U}} (27) {{/U}}of the
current models with the latest designs. Some people are{{U}} (28)
{{/U}}that they must"{{U}} (29) {{/U}}the Jones," that they must
have whatever their neighbors have. The old car or the old stereo set{{U}}
(30) {{/U}}work perfectly, but a newer and bigger one might{{U}}
(31) {{/U}}the family' s esteem in the community. Possessions
become{{U}} (32) {{/U}}of financial success; they elevate{{U}}
(33) {{/U}}social status. Advertisers also{{U}} (34) {{/U}}to the American desire to look youthful and be physically attractive. Commercials attempt to sell many products—shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and soap, for example—{{U}} (35) {{/U}}implying that their particular{{U}} (36) {{/U}}will help its user be more appealing. But Americans also make many{{U}} (37) {{/U}}for practical reasons. They buy{{U}} (38) {{/U}}devices to do routine household chores more quickly and easily. Every housewife wants a vacuum cleaner, an electric mixer, a steam iron, an automatic clothes washer and dryer, and a dishwasher.{{U}} (39) {{/U}}every home-owning husband would like a power lawn mower, as now -blower, and an electric drill. Americans also buy things{{U}} (40) {{/U}}they like to do things. Equipment{{U}} (41) {{/U}}hobbies and books about "do-it-yourself' projects are very popular. Americans want to know how to cook with a "continental" flair while refinishing the bedroom furniture and{{U}} (42) {{/U}}a million dollars in the stock market. The American{{U}} (43) {{/U}}of activity is part of a generally{{U}} (44) {{/U}}outlook on life, a belief that the value of knowledge is{{U}} (45) {{/U}}to its usefulness. |