2009年真题 Passage One-英语听力

[00:00.69]For shopaholics, the post-Christmas period means only one thing --- sales! [00:07.84]Across the country, prices are slashed on clothing, electronics, home furnishings and more, [00:15.04]but London is the place for serious shopping and you can certainly pick up some amazing bargains. [00:22.30]The sales start on Boxing Day --- 26th, December and continue for the month of January, [00:29.83]but the keenest bargain hunters get there early to be first through the doors. [00:36.41]In Oxford Street queues formed outside shops ahead of pre-dawn openings for the start of their sales. [00:44.67]At Brent Cross, in north London, more than 1,000 people were queuing at 3:30 a.m [00:50.96]for the 'Next' clothing store's sale which began at 4 a.m. [00:55.98]Some people even camped outside the shops to be the first in the line. [01:01.52]Some people are taking their friends shopping with them and buying their Christmas presents in the sales. [01:09.57]A practical but unromantic way of making sure you get the gift you really want. [01:15.54]For a less exciting but less stressful shopping experience, [01:21.01]online retailers are also getting in on the act with January sales of their own. [01:27.44]The most organized of all are those who are already doing their present shopping for next Christmas in the January sales.