Nonfiction · Level 2 · 150 words

The Case for Used

Original passage © Studio AM, written for Fluency.

A new phone, a new car, a new sofa: the moment you buy them, they lose value. Drive a new car off the lot, and it may be worth thousands less the same day. This is why buying used can be a wise choice. Someone else has already paid for that first drop in price. A used item, checked with care, can serve you just as well for far less money.

The key is to check with care. Look closely, ask questions, and test the thing before you pay. For a car, a trusted mechanic can spot hidden trouble. For furniture, look for strong joints and clean lines.

Not everything should be bought used; some items, like a mattress or safety gear, are better new. But for many things, used is not a step down. It is a way to get what you need and keep more of your money.

Comprehension questions

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4 questions
1. What is the passage mainly about?

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A. Buying used, when checked carefully, can save money without giving up quality
The passage argues that used items, checked with care, save money and still serve well.

2. According to the text, who can spot hidden trouble in a used car?

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B. A trusted mechanic
The text says "a trusted mechanic can spot hidden trouble."

3. Why does the passage say a used car's first owner has "already paid for that first drop in price"?

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B. The biggest loss of value happens right after a car is new
A new car loses the most value at once, so the first owner takes that loss, not the used buyer.

4. In this passage, "value" most nearly means

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B. what something is worth in money
A car "worth thousands less" has lost value, so value is what a thing is worth in money.

Source: Written for Fluency. Original passage © Studio AM, written for Fluency.