这里in the first place 需要仔细研究下.它出现在这里的意思同"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,我们应该解决这个问题.

但是它更常见的一种意思是"究竟,到底,当初", 用于句尾,谈论某事为何或是否应该做. (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,你究竟为什么取了这么个名字.

I should never have taken that job in the first place. 我当初就不该接受那份工作.

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"特指物品经过长期使用而损坏,磨损.也可以及物,那就是将某物磨损的意思.

He wore out two pairs of shoes last year. 去年他穿坏了两双鞋.

Cheap shoes soon wear out. 便宜的鞋子不耐穿.

大家要特别注意下,wear sb out就是使人厌烦,精疲力竭的意思.

The kids have totally worn me out. 孩子们简直把我烦透了.

You'll wear yourself out if you carry on working so hard. 你要是继续这样拼命工作,身体会吃不消的.