OG1 阅读 Q11

Choice A is the best answer. Lines 1-9("Every...showers") include examples of how many people shop ("millions of shoppers"), how much money they spend ("over $30 billion at retail stores in the month of December alone"), and the many occasions that lead to shopping for gifts ("including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and baby showers."). Combined, these examples show how frequently people in the US shop for gifts.
Choice B is incorrect because even though the authors mention that "$30 billion" had been spent in retail stores in one month, that figure is never discussed as an increase (or a decrease). Choice C is incorrect because lines 1-9("Every...showers") provide a context for the amount of shopping that occurs in the US, but the anxiety (or "dread") it might cause is not introduced until later in the passage. Choice D is incorrect because lines 1-9("Every...showers") do more than highlight the number of different occasions that lead to gift-giving.