21.

  1. They sell things at lower prices.
  2. They sell different types of small things.
  3. They now sell a lot of hot foods, too.
  4. They are usually of small size.

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22.

  1. Soda and coffee.
  2. Snacks and candy.
  3. Stamps and newspapers.
  4. Postcards and magazines.

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23.

  1. They save time and money.
  2. They sell better quality merchandise.
  3. They are time-saving and convenient.
  4. They are impersonal.

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24.

  1. In New York vending machines are dying out.
  2. Customer cannot buy things in vending machines with paper money.
  3. Fast food restaurants have largely taken the place of automats in New York.
  4. Many customers still get hot meals from vending machines.

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25.

  1. Fast food restaurants are very popular in the U.S.
  2. Customers benefit greatly from the creation of vending machines.
  3. Vending machines should not really sell food, cold or hot.
  4. Customers usually care a lot about quick service.

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Vending machines sell many different types of items. Some of them sell cold drinks like soda, or hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate. Others sell candy, stamps, tickets, newspapers, and other types of small merchandise.

These machines have been successful for two reasons. They save time and they are convenient. Merchandise sold in machines eliminates the need for a salesclerk or cashier. In many places the customer can use the machines at any time of day or night.

Although there are many different sizes and types of vending machines, they all work in basically the same way. The customer puts a coin into the machine and then push a button, pulls a lever, or opens a door to receive the merchandise. Some machines will also return change to the customer for paper money. But the basic idea is the same. Customers like to save time and are usually willing to pay a higher price for this convenience.

The sale of snacks in vending machines has always been very successful. However, machines now sell hot meals with only limited success. In New York City, automats used to sell a lot of hot foods in vending machines. But in recent years, fast food establishments have replaced automats.