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阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C和D中，选出最佳选项。
Future studies, also known as futurology(未来学)or foresight, involves the study of the past and present to make educated guesses about the future．The data gathered from these studies can be used to predict possible or probable future events or situations．It can also be used to design a way to reach preferable future conditions．
Many people believe that history is cyclical, or that certain circumstances will be seen again and again．This is the principle that future studies are based on．Searching history and present times for patterns can allow future forecasters a way to predict the future．A lot of future studies use cause and effect．For example, if a government is being unjust or is unpopular with the citizens of that country, the current government is either changed or overthrown．This has been hundreds of times throughout history, will probably be a pattern seen a hundred times more．
There are numerous applications for future studies．One possible application is as a way to predict future fashion and design fads(时尚)．The fashion market typically needs to work 18 months in advance, allowing the designers time to design, advertise, and manufacture the future styles．The stock market is another area where futurology is used．Determining which companies are likely to become successful, and which ones are heading for bancruptcy, requires the ability to use future studies correctly．
Some say that future studies can not predict long-term events and trends in the way that it could a decade ago．Global changes in technology, communication, and marketing have resulted in scenarios(情况)that no one could have predicted．Change is happening at a faster pace than ever before in history．It will be difficult to foresee future trends because of these changes．New future studies professionals will need to be able to consider these new trends carefully before creating their predictions．
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