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P. 50

2017 ‫מועד דצמבר‬  - 49 -  ‫ פרק שנ	י‬- ‫	אנגלית‬

Text II (Questions 18-22)

(1)		"They don't make things like they used to!" This comment is often made by people
       who remember a time when many products lasted a lifetime. Indeed, it was once the
       norm that household appliances, clothing, and other items remained in good condition
       for decades.

(5)		 Today, unfortunately, most manufacturers follow a policy of planned obsolescence.
       In order to keep customers coming back, they deliberately produce toys that break
       easily, home appliances that cannot be repaired, and light fixtures that are sealed so that
       burnt-out light bulbs cannot be changed. They discontinue replacement parts after just a
       few years and update computer software so that older versions can no longer be used.

(10) 	 Manufacturers also promote obsolescence indirectly by means of manipulative
       advertising. By aggressively marketing new clothing styles, models of cars, and
       electronics with innovative but unnecessary features, manufacturers induce in
       consumers a perceived need to acquire items they already own.

		 To a large degree, Western society has become a throw-away culture. As a result,
(15) 	 people waste time and money and may become caught up in a constant, restless pursuit

       of new things. The environment suffers, too: more trash goes into dump sites and more
       pollution is created by the production and transport of goods.

		 However, a countermovement is growing. More and more people favor vintage
       goods – second-hand items that have stood the test of time. Some websites offer high-

(20) 	 quality merchandise with long-term guarantees, and others provide instructions for
       repairing appliances. Such initiatives may eventually succeed in rendering planned
       obsolescence obsolete.

Questions

18. 	 Which of the following might be said by a manufacturer who follows a policy of

       planned obsolescence?

       (1) "If cars last for twenty years, people will not need to buy new ones."
       (2) "We can make more money selling replacement parts than new products."
       (3) "People will not buy household appliances that constantly need repairs."
       (4) "If we produce high-quality toys, customers will keep coming back."	

                                                                                       )‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬
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