However you view credit cards. it's hard to live in the modem world without one. And if you have one, you owe it to yourself to use it properly.

Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with suspicion by many as being a major part of the "live now pay later" syndrome. Along with hire purchase, rental and leasing schemes. they provide encouragement to spend more money. They can allow you to pile up debts that you have difficulty paying off, they can also let you spend next month's salary today. Of course, it is only the foolhardy who succumb to the temptation to live. temporarily at least, beyond their means. and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

Advertising campaigns have. however, promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces of plastic. They obviate the need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies. All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as 25 per cent a year. yet judicious purchasing using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks interest freecredit. Using me card abroad where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account can extend this period even further.

It is worthwhile shopping around before deciding on a particular credit card. It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted; interest rates, which may vary slightly; che number and range of outlets, chough most cards cover major garages, hotels. restaurants and departments stores: and of course. what happens if your card is lost or stolen A credit card chief may be sitting on a potential gold mine particularlyif there is delay in reporting the loss of the card.

Using a credit card wisely takes discipline and a little self-control. Once you realize your debt is someone else’s profit margin, your approach to your plastic will change. With a bit of discipline and some practical knowledge, you can make your cards work for you. rather than the other way round. As a matter of fact, a credit card can cost nothing or at least help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty.

1.Many people suspect that credit cards lure people to_______________.

2.The author seems to believe that even in the absence of credit cards. some people would undoubtedly_________________.

3.In Para. 3, in addition to the advantages of no need lo carry cash and being useful in emergencies, whatelse is said to be the advantage of credit cards?

4.What is the main idea of Para.4?

5.A credit card user can control himself to take better advantage of credit card if he knows well the truth that____________________.

答案：

1.[spend more money/use tomorrow's money/live now and pay later]

[定位]第2段第1、2句。

解析：题干中的lure是原文encouragement的同义表达，因此encouragement后的不定式为本题提供了答题依据。此外，第1句的live now pay later意思与之相近，也可为答案。

2.[live beyond their means/live now and pay later]六级怎么算分

[定位]第2段末句。

解析：题干中的in the absence of credit cards对应原句的without credit cards，联系前半句可知原句中do so指的是live beyond their means，即为答案。

3.[Being able to enjoy the free interest in certain period]

[定位]第3段最后两句。

解析：第3段第2句首先提到了信用卡的两个优点：no need to carry cash和being useful in emergencies。第3句在提到它收取高额利息后，用yet表转折提出它的第三个优点：interest free credit,最后一句加以补充说明。

4.[What should be considered before you decide on a credit card]

[定位]第4段首句。

解析：根据主题句第1句及第2句中“It is necessary to consider...”所列举的事项可以得出结论：该段主要讲述选择信用卡时要考虑的一些因素。

5.[his debt is the bank's profit]

[定位]末段第2句。

解析：题干中的if可对应原句的once，know对应realize，故realize后的宾语从句即为题干中宾语the truth的同位语从句。正确理解该宾语从句是解题关键，原句的someone else实指银行，而银行是信用卡持有人的债主，由此答案不难得出。

(编辑实习：王晓晓)