Built-in obsolescence - Module 8

C2 Proficiency · Word Formation · Expert Proficiency, Pearson Education

For questions 1–8, read the text below. Use the word given in CAPITALS at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.

SURE

RESPECT

PREVAIL

DATE

SUCCEED

REMARK

GRADE

EXTEND

Built-in obsolescence is a classic feature of (0) ___ . Products are designed to have a limited lifespan, and manufacturers are always developing new products which will supersede those currently available. This is, therefore, a business strategy that aims to maintain demand for products by (1) ___ that people feel a need to buy a replacement for what they already have, (2) ___ of its state of repair. This practice is particularly (3) ___ in the electronics industry, where there is a seemingly constant (4) ___ and remodelling of gadgets. What's more, the time span between the launch of a product and the launch of its (5) ___ , or the version with the latest 'must-have' feature, is often (6) ___ short. Similarly, car manufacturers encourage us to view their products as indicators of our social status, making us more likely to feel we should go for an (7) ___ . But is built-in obsolescence such a bad thing? One marketing guru views it as a natural (8) ___ of the free-market economy, fuelled by technological advance – maybe he has a point.

Built-in obsolescence

CONSUMER

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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