第二篇：

　　The Inuit, however, have managed to survive in this _____38_____ environment for thousands of years. In order to survive, they _____39_____ their way of living. Their housing, clothing, and transportation exactly suited the conditions in the Arctic. 

　　Since nothing grew in the Arctic, the Inuit hunted and fished. In the winter, they hunted for _____40_____ such as polar bears and seals on the ice. In the summer, they fished and hunted for whales. The Inuit used every part of the animal for food, to make clothes, to build boats and houses, and even to provide heat.

    Barter is an ancient way of commerce: people exchange goods or services directly without using a medium of exchange such, as currency. Usually, the things exchanged or traded have almost the same value in terms of money. Barter is most useful when two people each have something that the other wants. That being the case, they decide on the items to be exchanged and then make the trade. This is also true of services. For example, a plumber can fix a tap in a grocery store and get a few daily necessities in return as payment. 

    Now, this old method of conducting business has taken a new form. In the old days, barters usually took place between two parties. Over time, organized barter exchanges have developed, which means we now have third-party bartering. A barter exchange serves as a broker and also as a banlc in which each member has an account. When a purchase is made, “trade dollars” are taken away from the buyer’s account and added to the seller’s account. Of course, this can be done electronically now. There are online barter networks available that make it much easier to trade with many businesses. 

    Bartering tends to become more popular in times of struggling economies. Since trade dollars are used, this form of exchange appeals especially to businesses that are short of cash. Also, it helps get rid of excess goods or services, that is, those that aren’t sold. If, say, a restaurant needs to have its carpet cleaned, it can provide catering service in its opening yet free hours for a carpet cleaner that needs a feast. What’s more, it can draw in many new customers through this expanding network. Next time, when you find yourself in need of something, don’t buy but try bartering!