“what does the middleman do but add to the price of goods in the shops?” Such remarks are aimed at the intermediate operations between manufacturers and final customers. This practice usually attracts a lot of attention from the public and the press and the operation most talked about is what is often called wholesaling.
The wholesaler buys goods in large quantities from the manufacturers and sells them in smaller parcels to retailers, and for this service his selling price to the retailer is raised several percent higher. But his job is made more difficult by retail demand not necessarily running level with manufacturers’ production. Because he adjusts or regulates the flow of goods by holding stock until required, he frees the manufacturer, to some extent, from the effect on production of changing demand and having to bear the whole risk.
The manufacture can then keep up a steady production flow, and the retailer has no need to hold heavy stocks, who can call on the wholesaler for supplies any time. This wholesale function id like that of a valve in a water pipe. The middleman also bears part of the risk that would otherwise fall on the manufacturer and also the retailer.
The wholesaler provides a purely commercial service, for which he is too well rewarded. But the point that is missed by many people is that the wholesaler is not just someone adding to the cost of goods. It is true one could eliminate the wholesaler but one would still be left with his function: that of making sure that goods find their way to the people who want them.
81. “Middleman” in the passage almost equals to all the following in meaning EXCEPT _____.
A. go-between
B. intermediary
C. manufacturer
D. wholesaler
82. “This practice” in Paragraph 1 most probably refers to the fact that the middleman _____.
A. increases the prices in the shops
B. buys from you and sells to me
C. aims remarks at manufacturers
D. interferes with end user customers
83. The wholesaler obtains higher selling prices for _____.
A. small parcels he sells
B. goods he buys in bulk
C. the service he provides
D. the information he offers
84. A middleman’s work may become difficult because _____.
A. manufacturers run their production on a much higher level
B.market demand may not be the same as industrial production
C. retailers are not necessary in running their retailing business
D. retailers demand lower levels than those demanded by manufacturers
85. The wholesaler regulates the flow of goods by _____.
A. running level with manufacturers’ production
B. holding down stock of commodities
C. keeping stock for stronger demand
D. adjusting the prices of goods in time
86. The middleman relieves the producer of _____.
A. fluctuating market demand and staying at risk
B. the production of commodities for the retail market
C. some extent of production of changing demand
D. storing goods in a warehouse until they are needed
87. What function of the wholesaler is compared to a valve?
A. Controlling the flow of goods.
B. Pushing up demand from retailers.
C. Bearing part of the risk for manufacturers.
D. Selling goods to retailers.
88. Which of the following statement is true?
A. People cannot do without the wholesaler’s function.
B. The function of the wholesaler does not add to the cost of goods.
C. The wholesaler helps to reduce the price of goods in shops.
D. The wholesaler is well paid for his commercial service.
89. The author quite possibly believes that the function of the wholesaler is _____.
A. good but too costly
B. necessary but harmful
C. removable but necessary
D. acceptable but unnecessary
90. Which of the following titles is most appropriate for this passage?
A. The Greedy Wholesalers
B. The Wholesalers in the Public Eye
C. A Retail Market with Wholesalers
D. Can We Do without the Wholesaler?
KEYS：
61. A 62. C 63. B 64. A 65. C 66. B 67. D 68. C 69. D 70.
A 71. B 72. B 73. D 74. D 75. A 76. C 77. C 78. A 79. D 80. A
81. C 82. B 83. C 84. B 85. C 86. A 87. A 88. D 89. C 90.D
