Credit cards let people buy things now and pay for them over months or even years.But some people get deep into debt:Some banks have terms and charges that can make it harder for people to pay off that debt.In the United States,there are calls for stronger government supervision of the credit card industry. _ In 2004,Americans had about $800 billion in credit card debt.Now they own about $968 billion. Critics say banks made it too easy to get credit cards.But that may be changing.The crisis in the housing and credit they call markets is beginning to affect the credit card industry.More payments are late.Charges for late payments are a growing source of profit for banks.But late payments can also signal bad debts. The central bank,the Federal Reserve,says twothirds of American banks have recently reported tighter lending requirements.Many people report having their credit limits reduced without warning. Some lawmakers are concerned that cardholders do not have enough protections from what abusive policies.These include actions like raising interest rates because of an unrelated event.Also,banks may raise the chances of a late payment by changing monthly payment dates for credit cards. According to a survey,82% of Americans think credit cards provide a valuable service.But a majority,58%,say they do not trust credit card companies.And three out of four think the government should regulate the industry more closely.Three out of four people feel there is always some condition that makes a card less appealing than the company made in scared.And a little more than half say they have had a card that was not as good as they expected.But close to 80% say no one really reads the terms and conditions when they sign up for a credit card. What can we know from the text? A) Banks actually prefer to see more late payment. B) People should be more careful when applying for a credit card. C) The US government provides better protection for cardholders. D) The majority of Americans don't think much of credit cards.
B
(Question)
The other day an acquaintance of mine, an outgoing and charming man, told me he had found himself unexpectedly alone in New York for an hour or two between appointments. He went to the Whitney and spent the "empty" time looking at things in solitary happiness. For him it proved to be a shock nearly as great as falling in love to discover that he could enjoy himself so much alone. What had he been afraid of, I asked myself? That, suddenly alone, he would discover that he bored himself, or that there was, quite simply, no self there to meet? But having taken a decisive step, he is now on the edge of adventure; he is about to be launched into his own inner space to the astronaut. His every perception will come to him with a new freshness and, for a time, seem surprisingly original. For anyone who can see things for himself with a naked eye becomes, for a moment or two, something of a genius. With another human being present, vision becomes double vision, unavoidably. We are busy wondering, what does my companion see or think of this, and what do I think of it? The original impact gets lost. "Music I heard with you was more than music." Exactly. And therefore music itself can only be heard alone. Solitude is the salt of personhood. It brings out the authentic flavor of every experience. "Alone one is never lonely: the spirit adventures, walking in a quiet garden, in a cool house, staying single there." Loneliness is very strongly felt with other people, for with others, even with a lover sometimes, we suffer from our differences of taste, temperament and mood. Human intercourse often demands that we soften the edge of perception, or withdraw at the very instant of personal truth for fear of hurting, or of being inappropriately present, which is to say naked, in a social situation. Alone we can afford to be wholly whatever we are, and to feel whatever we feel ly. That is a great luxury! For me the most interesting thing about a solitary life, and mine has been that for the last twenty years, is that it... Which of the following is the writer's opinion about being alone? A) Being alone is actually an adventure of exploring one's outer space. B) People are lonely because they lack communication between each other. C) One can enjoy the authentic flavor of every experience when he is alone. D) People need to be alone because only then do they have double vision.
(Answer)
C
People visit other countries for many reasons.Some travel on business;others travel to visit interesting places that are only found in other countries,such as the Taj Mahal in India. Wherever you go, and for whatever reason,it is important to be safe.While the majority of people you will meet when traveling are sure to be friendly and welcoming, there are dangers--theft being the most common.Just as in your home country, do not expect everyone you meet to be friendly and helpful.It is important to prepare for your trip in advance, and to take precautions while you are traveling. As you prepare for your trip, make sure you have the right paperwork.You don't want to get to your destination only to find you have the wrong visa,or worse,that your passport is about to _ .Also, make sure you travel with proper medical insurance, so that if you are sick during your travels,you will be able to get treatment.If you want to drive while you are abroad,make sure you have an international driver's license. Buy a guidebook and read about the local customs of the country you are going to.Also, try to learn a few basic words and phrases. When you get to your destination, use official transport.Always go to bus and taxi stands; don't accept rides from strangers who offer you a lift.If there is no meter in the taxi, agree on a price before you get in.If you prefer to stay in cheap hotels while traveling,make sure you can lock the door of your room from the inside.If you are traveling with valuables such as jewelry, or a lot of cash, you should ask about a safe for storing them in.Finally, remember to smile.Smiling is the friendliest and most sincere form of communication, and is sure to be understood in any part of the world! Which of the following will expire? A) Hotel B) Luggage C) ID card D) Name
C