We can see how the product life cycle works by looking at the introduction of instant（速溶） coffee. When it was introduced, most people did not like it as well as "regular" coffee, and it took several years to gain general acceptance（introduction stage）.At one point, though, instant coffee grew rapidly in popularity, and many brands were introduced（stage of rapid growth）. After a while, people became attached to one brand and sales leveled off（stage of maturity）. Sales went into a slight decrease when freeze-dried coffees were introduced（stage of decline）.
The importance of the product life cycle to marketers is this: Different stages in the product life cycle call for different strategies. The goal is to extend product life so that sales and profits do not drop. One strategy is called market modification. It means that marketing managers look for new users and market sections. Did you know, for example, that the backpacks that so many students carry today were originally designed for the soldiers？
Market modification also means searching for increased usage among present customers or going for a different market, such as senior citizens. A marketer may re-position the product to appeal to new market sections.
Another product extension strategy is called product modification. It involves changing product quality, features, or style to attract new users or more usage from present users. American auto manufacturers are using quality improvement as one way to regain world markets. Note, also, how auto manufacturers once changed styles eagerly from year to year to keep demand from falling.
The first paragraph tells us that a new product is ________.

A．not easily accepted by the public

B．often of poorer quality compared with old ones

C．often more expensive than old ones

D．usually introduced to satisfy different tastes

Marketers need to know which of the four stages a product is in so as to________.

A．promote its production

B．work out marketing plans

C．speed up its life cycle

D．increase its popularity

The author mentions the example of "backpacks" （Para.2） to show the importance of________.

A．pleasing the young as well as the old

B．increasing usage among students

C．exploring new market sections

D．finding creative product designers

In order to attract more consumers, U.S. auto makers are ________.

A．modernizing product style

B．increasing product features

C．developing products of better quality

D．re-positioning their product in the market