Questions 21-25 are based on the following passage:

In a global survey released in 2012, half the responders admitted to buying things they really did not need.

Two thirds are worried that consumers are buying too much. Such concerns may be justified. Many

consumers have become trapped in debt.

Researchers say that instead of making us more satisfied, high levels of consumption may lead to greater

stress and unhappiness!

As consumers, we are subjected to a great amount of marketing. What is the goal of marketers? To mm

wants into needs. Marketers know that consumer behavior is driven largely by emotion. So advertisements

and the shopping experience itself are designed for maximum emotional appeal.

When you ask a consumer: Why do you buy so much? He or she may answer: I want to improve my quality

of life. It is natural that people want a better life. Advertisers bombard us with messages that all of our

desires—better health, security, relief from stress, and closer relationships—can be achieved by making the

right purchases.

But actually, as our number of possessions increases, our quality of life can actually decrease. Additional

time and money are needed to care for more material things. Stress levels rise because of pressure from

debt, and there is less time for family and friends. So you should protect yourself from becoming a victim

of clever marketers. You should put emotion aside, and compare marketing promises with reality.

21. The first paragraph tells us that ____________.

A. half the things people buy are not needed

B. most consumers are trapped in debt

C. excessive buying is common

D. consumption brings satisfaction

22. According to the author, the goal of marketers is to ____________.

A. turn the consumers' desires into consumptions

B. carefully study the consumers' emotion

C. make sure the consumers' needs are met

D. make more money by cheating

23. Many consumers are buying too much, because ____________.

A. they don't know what they really need

B. they want to stay in fashion

C. they enjoy the shopping experiences

D. they tend to be attracted by ads

24. The word "bombard" in the third paragraph is closest in meaning to" _____________".

A. break B. attack

C. convince D. supervise

25. The purpose of the author in writing this article is to _____________.

A. reveal marketing tricks

B. explain the working theory of ads

C. advise people against over-spending

D. analyze consumer behavior