Question 17 is based on the recording you have just heard.

听力原文

    Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had fifty years ago? Therefore, you’d think we’d have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We’ve got tripled space, but (16) [we’ve become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more.] This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, (16) [our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century.] 

    I’m here to suggest an alternative—that having less might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I immediately saved $200,000. Smaller space leads to reduced utility bills and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it’s designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I’m really excited to live there.

    How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. (17) [To stem consumption, we should think before we buy and ask ourselves: will it truly make me happier? Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we’re going to love for years.] Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six-burner stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, (18) [we need multifunctional spaces and housewares.] I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space. Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tucked away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out of the wall. For guests, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed. 

    I’m not saying we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves: Could I do with a little life editing? Would that give me more freedom and more time?

17. What things should we possess according to the speaker?（讲话者认为我们应该拥有哪些东西？）

解析：A。录音中间部分提到，我们应该在买东西之前问问自己：它真的能让我更开心吗？之后又提到，我们要的是那些能让我们珍爱多年的物品（belongings that we’re going to love for years）。A项与此内容相符，其中cherish对应的是录音中的love，故为正确答案。

错项排除：B项利用录音中出现的efficiency设置干扰，但录音中说的是我们要有效利用空间（space efficiency），而不是拥有提高效率的东西，故排除。C项“更便宜的东西”和D项“稀有的东西”在录音中无依据，故均排除。