题目内容

•Read the article below about credit card in America, and the questions on the opposite page.
•For each question 13--18, mark one letter (A, B, C, or D) on your Answer Sheet for the answer you choose.
HOW THE CREDIT CARD CAPTURED AMERICA
The proliferation of platinum American Express cards in the 1980s spawned rumors of an ultimate, highly exclusive, never publicized "Black Card". Carried by billionaires, it reportedly allowed holders to demand private shopping sprees at the world's most exclusive shops and to summon helicopters in the middle of Sahara. American express vehemently denies the existence of such a charge card. But the persistence of the myth suggests the social importance credit cards have for so many Americans. As one business writer puts it, "to have one's credit cards canceled is now akin to being excommunicated by the medieval church."
America's love affair with the credit card began in 1949, when businessman Frank X. McNamara finished a meal in a New York restaurant and then discovered he had no cash. In those days, gasoline and store charge cards were common, but cash was standard for almost everything else. The embarrassed McNamara called his wife, who rushed over to bail him out. His predicament gave him the idea for Diners Club. Within a year some 200 people carried the world's first multi-use credit card.
The problem was to persuade enough people to carry the cards. Diners Club turned to promotions. It gave away a round-the-world trip on a popular television show. The winners charged their expenses and made it "from New York to New York without a die in their pockets".
Banks, sensing among less affluent a pent-up desire to spend, began issuing cards of their own. The first to turn a profit was Bank of America's Bank Americard. Bankers from all over the country descended on its California headquarters to learn the secret of its success--so many that in 1966 Bank Americard, today known as Visa, began forming alliances with banks outside the state. The Bank Americard network soon faced a competitor when Wells Fargo Bank joined with 77 others to create what became Master Charge. After scooping up 1.3 million more "Everything Card" holders from what was then First National City Bank, Master Charge--today's Master Card--became for a while the biggest bank card in the country.
Five million holiday credit-card shoppers would have created a bonanza for the banks, but in the rush to market, the hanks had been less than cautious in assembling their lists. Some families received 15 cards. Dead people and babies got cards. Even a dachshund named Alice Griffin was sent one that promised she would be welcomed as a "preferred customer" at Chicago's finest restaurants.
Hundreds of Chicagoans discovered they could use or sell a car they "found", and by law, the person whose name appeared on it was liable for the charges--even if he or she had never requested or received the card.
When the prime rate hit 20% in 1981, the banks found that consumers didn't mind paying rates of 18--22% on their credit-card balance. High interest rates helped attract new players into the credit-card area, including sears' Discover Card and Visa. Airlines, car and insurance companies, even long-distance phone companies allied themselves with banks to offer credit cards. Experts estimate there are from 15, 000 to 19, 000 different cards available in the country.
Of course, credit cards have not only replaced cash for many purposes, but also in effect have created cash by making it instantly available virtually everywhere. The credit-card advance is becoming as ubiquitous as the automated teller machine.
What is the rumor of "Black card"?

A. The holder can spend freely at the best shops.
B. The credit card allows holders to pay their check without cash.
C. The holders can summon helicopters in desert.
D. The credit card is very important in American society.

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A.farB.nearC.longD.deep

A. far
B. near
C. long
D. deep

A.They were just as busy as people of today.B.They saw the importance of collective ef

A. They were just as busy as people of today.
B. They saw the importance of collective efforts.
C. They didn't complain as much as modem man.
D. They lived a hard life by hunting and gathering.

听力原文:W: Gosh! Have you seen this, Richard?
M: Seen what?
W: In the paper, it says there's a man going round pretending he's from the electricity board. He's been calling at people's homes, saying he's come to check that all their appliances are safe. Then he gets around them to make him a cup of tea and while they are out of the room, he steals their money, handbag, whatever and makes off with it.
M: But you know Jane, it's partly their own fault. You should never let anyone like that in unless you are expecting them.
W: It's all very well to say that, but someone comes to the door and says electricity or gas, and you aut0matically think they are OK, especially if they flash a card to you.
M: Does this man have an ID then?
W: Yes, that's just it! It seems he used to work for the electricity board at one time. According to the paper, the police are warning people, especially pensioners not to admit anyone unless they have an appointment. It's a bit sad. One old lady told them she'd just been to the post office to draw her pension when he called. She said he must have followed her home. He stole the whole lot.
M: But what does he look like? Surely they must have a description.
W: Oh, yes, they have. Let's see. In his thirties, tall, bushy dark hair, slight northern accent, sounds a bit like you actually.
(23)

A notice by the electricity board.
B. Ads promoting electric appliances.
C. The description of a thief in disguise.
D. A new policy on pensioners' welfare.

Advertising on radio continues to grow because______.

A. more local radio stations have been set up
B. modem technology makes it more entertaining
C. it provides easy access to consumers
D. it has been revolutionized by Internet radio

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