這里in the first place 需要仔細研究下.它出現在這里的意思同"To begin with; earlier; first; at the start...",就是"首先,第一"的意思.

In the first place, we should solve this problem.
首先,我們應該解決這個問題.

但是它更常見的一種意思是"究竟,到底,當初", 用于句尾,談論某事為何或是否應該做. (used at the end of a sentence to talk about why something was done or whether it should have been done or not).

I still don't understand why you chose that name in the first place. 我仍不明白,你究竟為什么取了這么個名字.

I should never have taken that job in the first place. 我當初就不該接受那份工作.

形容物品是否耐用,持久就用"durable".

durable plastics 耐用塑料

2.Why does it take longer to wear out than the others?

"Wear out"特指物品經過長期使用而損壞,磨損.也可以及物,那就是將某物磨損的意思.

He wore out two pairs of shoes last year. 去年他穿壞了兩雙鞋.

Cheap shoes soon wear out. 便宜的鞋子不耐穿.

大家要特別注意下,wear sb out就是使人厭煩,精疲力竭的意思.

The kids have totally worn me out. 孩子們簡直把我煩透了.

You'll wear yourself out if you carry on working so hard. 你要是繼續這樣拼命工作,身體會吃不消的.