INTERNET: A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROMOTE BUSINESS The Internet is changing the way people shop and

INTERNET: A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROMOTE BUSINESS The Internet is changing the way people shop and purchase goods. It has created a new market (0) great opportunities for people running a small home-business and gives them a big advantage over the typical retail establishment. Before, if a customer wanted to buy a stereo for example, they had to jump into their car, go to a (31) stores to see who has the best price, deal with the traffic and wait in long lines, then make the purchase. With the Internet, (32) is done right from the comfort of the consumer’’s home. They simply point & click. There is (33) limit to the amount of business that a web merchant can bring in from on-line sales and it can be done right from your home. You are not limited to state or national boundaries. The whole world is your customer base! Compared to say a local flower shop (34) is limited to only the customers within that general area. The World Wide Web has created an avenue for individuals to set up shop and generate high profits (35) the expensive overhead costs of a brick and mortar storefront. It has given an opportunity for small businesses to give the appearance of a large, well-established company, which puts (36) on a level playing field to compete (37) the larger companies. It is a low-maintenance low-cost form of advertising your products and services. To get set up with your own on-line store is extremely easy and inexpensive. In fact, it’’s the most cost-effective way to reach many thousands of buyers (38) the globe. Having a website is a must for (39) company doing business today to remain competitive and offer convenience to (40) customers. If you don’’t have a website, chances are your competitors will, and they will make the sale. EXAMPLE：The correct answer for blank (0) is “WITH ”.

The passage highlights how the Internet revolutionizes business by eliminating geographical limits, reducing costs, and creating equal competition opportunities. It contrasts traditional brick-and-mortar stores with online businesses, emphasizing accessibility and global reach as key advantages in modern commerce.

multiple (describes visiting several stores to compare prices)

everything (refers to the entire shopping process done online)

no (emphasizes unlimited business potential for web merchants)

that/which (relative pronoun introducing a clause about the flower shop's limitations)

without (contrasts online stores with physical stores lacking high overhead costs)

them (pronoun referring to "small businesses" competing on equal terms)

with/against (prepositions indicating competition with larger companies)

across/around (prepositions describing global buyer reach)

any (adjective emphasizing necessity for all contemporary businesses)

their (possessive pronoun referring to companies' customers)