Section C

Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from the list A-F for each paragraph.  There is one extra heading which you do not need.(本题请涂在答题卡上)

(E)

80.______ Although credit cards are already a more acceptable part of the financial dealings, they are still regarded, especially in the time of a serious economic crisis, by many as being a major part of the “live now pay later” system.  Along with hire-purchase regulations, credit cards, according to some, provide encouragement to spend more money.  However, it’s only the fool who is dominated by the temptation to live, temporarily at least, beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

81.______ Advertising campaigns have already promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces of plastic.  They avoid the need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies.  And the monthly credit card bill is a loyal booker keeping your monthly purchase record and indicating your buying habits.

82.______ All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as two percent a year.  But sensible purchase using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks interest-free credit.  Using the card abroad, where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can extend this period even further.

83.______ It is worthwhile consulting more credit card companies before deciding on a particular credit card.  It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted, interest rates, which may vary slightly; the number and range of outlets, though most cards cover major stores.

84.______ Undoubtedly, if used wisely, a credit card can cost nothing, or at lease help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty.  However, we should also remember that the wrong use of the little plastic may drag us deep into financial troubles.  More than half of the American personal bankruptcy(破产) and credit failure cases are connected with the wrong use of the credit card.  Therefore, every time you open your wallet and reach for a credit card, remember to ask yourself:” Is the item necessary to me?” and “Do I really need so many credit cards?” 

Section C

Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from the list A-F for each paragraph.  There is one extra heading which you do not need.(本题请涂在答题卡上)

(E)

A. The disadvantage(s) of credit cards.

B. Clever choice of credit cards.

C. The benefits credits cards bring.

D. Avoidance of economic trouble by using credit cards wrongly.

E. People’s misunderstanding about credit cards.

F. Ways to save on the interest.

80.______ Although credit cards are already a more acceptable part of the financial dealings, they are still regarded, especially in the time of a serious economic crisis, by many as being a major part of the “live now pay later” system.  Along with hire-purchase regulations, credit cards, according to some, provide encouragement to spend more money.  However, it’s only the fool who is dominated by the temptation to live, temporarily at least, beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

81.______ Advertising campaigns have already promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces of plastic.  They avoid the need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies.  And the monthly credit card bill is a loyal booker keeping your monthly purchase record and indicating your buying habits.

82.______ All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as two percent a year.  But sensible purchase using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks interest-free credit.  Using the card abroad, where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can extend this period even further.

83.______ It is worthwhile consulting more credit card companies before deciding on a particular credit card.  It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted, interest rates, which may vary slightly; the number and range of outlets, though most cards cover major stores.

84.______ Undoubtedly, if used wisely, a credit card can cost nothing, or at lease help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty.  However, we should also remember that the wrong use of the little plastic may drag us deep into financial troubles.  More than half of the American personal bankruptcy(破产) and credit failure cases are connected with the wrong use of the credit card.  Therefore, every time you open your wallet and reach for a credit card, remember to ask yourself:” Is the item necessary to me?” and “Do I really need so many credit cards?” 

Competition. It’s a simple word, yet a very complex word that covers many angles when it comes to how gasoline prices are determined. It seems so easy to explain, but don’t let that trick you—it’s incredibly difficult to explain and adequately understand.

Say you’re on a Sunday afternoon drive, and notice a gas station near you charging $3.50. Down the road a few miles, that price could easily be 10 or more cents higher or lower. The question is “how” or “why” is that? Think of it this way. Are you more likely to get a better deal on a car if there are two similar car dealers next to each other? Perhaps, because the dealers are too close. Say there is a third similar car dealer miles away. Is he going to be at the same level of competition and sell his cars for the same price as the two dealers next to each other? Likely not. He may charge more or less. Maybe people don't know there are two other dealers down the road. Maybe the dealer is almost outside of the city and the land value isn't as high, so his taxes aren't as high.

These situations do take place at gas stations. And more factors can impact what a station will charge. Timing can greatly impact what price a station charges as well! Many motorists fail to realize that the price a station pays for gasoline changes daily. If one station gets lucky and buys gas on Monday and the cost goes up Tuesday, the station that bought on Monday doesn’t necessarily have to raise prices like the station that bought on Tuesday. Maybe the station that got caught buying for a higher price on Tuesday will pass that higher cost on by raising its gas price.

Perhaps the difference is what brand the station is---branded stations usually pay a slightly higher cost for their gasoline. In return for paying a higher cost, those stations are guaranteed first supply in case of emergency situations. Independent stations don’t pay as much, but aren’t guaranteed supply.

While competition sounds easy to understand, there are always a large number of factors that could influence what one station charges. Keep in mind how many variables (变数) there are next time you fill up.

63.What could be the best title for the passage?

A. How Competition Impacts Gas Prices

  B. Gas Prices Go Up or Down

  C. Competition---a Very Complex Word

  D. We Can’t Stress Enough the Need for Competition 

64. The example of car dealers is used to show _________.

  A. car prices are determined by car dealers

  B. location is an important factor in pricing

  C. the quality of service matters most

  D. dealing strategy should be flexible

65. The gas prices of a station always change partly because _________.

  A. a gas station always wants to charge more

  B. the gasoline is in great demand

  C. the cost of the gas the station buys varies daily

  D. gas is in greater need on Monday

66. According to the passage, branded stations _________.

  A. spend less money on their gasoline

  B. have more staff than independent stations

  C. charge less for high quality oil

  D. offer a steady oil supply

Competition. It’s a simple word, yet a very complex word that covers many angles when it comes to how gasoline prices are determined. It seems so easy to explain, but don’t let that trick you—it’s incredibly difficult to explain and adequately understand.

Say you’re on a Sunday afternoon drive, and notice a gas station near you charging $3.50. Down the road a few miles, that price could easily be 10 or more cents higher or lower. The question is “how” or “why” is that? Think of it this way. Are you more likely to get a better deal on a car if there are two similar car dealers next to each other? Perhaps, because the dealers are too close. Say there is a third similar car dealer miles away. Is he going to be at the same level of competition and sell his cars for the same price as the two dealers next to each other? Likely not. He may charge more or less. Maybe people don't know there are two other dealers down the road. Maybe the dealer is almost outside of the city and the land value isn't as high, so his taxes aren't as high.

These situations do take place at gas stations. And more factors can impact what a station will charge. Timing can greatly impact what price a station charges as well! Many motorists fail to realize that the price a station pays for gasoline changes daily. If one station gets lucky and buys gas on Monday and the cost goes up Tuesday, the station that bought on Monday doesn’t necessarily have to raise prices like the station that bought on Tuesday. Maybe the station that got caught buying for a higher price on Tuesday will pass that higher cost on by raising its gas price.

Perhaps the difference is what brand the station is---branded stations usually pay a slightly higher cost for their gasoline. In return for paying a higher cost, those stations are guaranteed first supply in case of emergency situations. Independent stations don’t pay as much, but aren’t guaranteed supply.

While competition sounds easy to understand, there are always a large number of factors that could influence what one station charges. Keep in mind how many variables (变数) there are next time you fill up.

63.What could be the best title for the passage?

A. How Competition Impacts Gas Prices

B. Gas Prices Go Up or Down

C. Competition---a Very Complex Word

D. We Can’t Stress Enough the Need for Competition

64. The example of car dealers is used to show ______________.

A. car prices are determined by car dealers

B. location is an important factor in pricing

C. the quality of service matters most

D. dealing strategy should be flexible

65. The gas prices of a station always change partly because ______________.

A. a gas station always wants to charge more

B. the gasoline is in great demand

C. the cost of the gas the station buys varies daily

D. gas is in greater need on Monday

66. According to the passage, branded stations ______________.

A. spend less money on their gasoline

B. have more staff than independent stations

C. charge less for high quality oil

D. offer a steady oil supply