A. The text below lists several reasons for becoming a collector. Before you read the text try to predict what collectors might be. Scan the text quickly to see if your predictions were accurate.
B. Read the text and decide which of the following comments you would expect the writer to agree with. Use the text to support your answers.
Serious collectors …
1. pursue ambitious goals;
2. collect exceptionally expensive things;
3. are motivated by money;
4. know their subjects backwards;
5. pay high prices for rarities;
6. often collect something new;
7. collect something nobody else wants;
8. are interested in something machine-made;
9. collect things of a limited edition;
10. take part in auctions, browse catalogues and websites.
C. Match the highlighted words in the text to their definitions:
1. mass-produced; 2. a huge range of; 3. to know the subject backwards; 4. a fascination with; 5. to fetch (great prices); 6. to cater to; 7. the urge to; 8. few and far between; 9. would-be buyers; 10. to run up huge debts; 11. to make an enormous difference; 12. to be obsessed with; 13. to hunt for (a hunter); 14. to possess (possession); 15. supply (to supply).
A. ___ prospective purchasers;
B. ___ to be sold for high prices;
C. ___ to be very familiar with;
D. ___ a quality that pleases and attracts people;
E. ___ a strong need or desire to have an object;
F. ___ something which is actively looked for;
G. ___ large numbers of similar things made by machine;
H. ___ not happening very often, rare;
I. ___ to provide what smb wants or needs;
J. ___ to have a great effect on smb, smth;
K. ___to continue to add small amounts to an amount owed until the total amount becomes very high;
L. ___ to give smth that is needed to someone or smth;
M. ___ to think about someone or smth all the time;
N. ___ a great variety of;
O. ___ to have or own smth, or to have a particular quality.