Human wants seem endless. When a starving man gets a meal, he begins to think about an overcoat; when a manager gets a new sports car, he dreams of country clubs and pleasure boats dance into view.
The many wants of mankind might be regarded as making up several levels. When there is money enough to satisfy one level of wants, another level appears.
The first and most basic level of wants is food. Once this want is satisfied, a second level of wants appears: clothing and some sort of shelter. By the end of World War II these wants were satisfied for a great majority of Americans. Then a third level appeared. It included such items as cars and new houses.
By 1957 or 1958 this third level of wants was fairly well satisfied. Then in the late 1950s a fourth level of wants appeared: the “life-enriching” level. While the other levels mean physical satisfaction—the feeding, comfort, safety and transportation of the human body—this level means mental needs for recognition, achievement and happiness. It includes a variety of goods and services many of which could be called “luxury” items. Among them are vacation trips, the best medical care and entertainment. Also included here are fancy foods and the latest styles in clothing.
On the fourth level, a greater percentage of consumers spending goes to services, while on the first three levels more is spent on goods. Will consumers raise their sights to a fifth level of wants as their income increases, or will they continue to demand luxuries and personal services on the fourth level?
A fifth level probably would be wants that can be achieved by community action. Consumers may be spending more on taxes and crime. After filling our stomachs, our garages, and our minds, we now may seek to ensure the health and safety to enjoy more fully the good things on the first three levels.
59. According to the passage, man will begin to think about such needs as housing and clothing only when _______
A. he has saved up enough money
B. he has grown dissatisfied with his simple shelter
C. he has satisfied his hunger
D. he has learned to build houses
60. It can be inferred from the passage that by the end of World War II most Americans ______
A. were very rich
B. were very poor
C. Had the good things on the first three levels
D. didn’t own cars
61. Which of the following is NOT related to “physical satisfaction”?
A. A successful career B. A comfortable house
C. A good service D. A family car
62. The author thinks that a fifth level______
A. would be a little better than the fourth level
B. may be a lot more desirable than the first four
C. can be the last and most satisfying level
D. will come true if the government takes actions