Richard used the EUROCARD system, but now he wants to have information about other credit cards.:
Mr Hardy:
Good morning, sir. Can I help you?
Richard: Good morning. Well, I've come to find out about those credit cards. This year I'm going to the USA with my family and I've heard that credit cards are often more commonly used as a method of payment than cash, at least in the States.
H.: Yes, in most cases it's quite true, Mr. Brown. Credit cards are more widely used, but not only that, they're also a lot safer, especially in the holiday situation. However, as EUROCHEQUES are not accepted in the USA, I'm afraid, we will have to consider credit cards.
R.: Are they very expensive?
H.: No, they really aren't. Of course, there are different arrangements to choose from. The normal EUROCARD costs $ 40.00 whereas EUROCARD GOLD is $130.00, both charges are made annually.
R.: I'm a bit confused here. What is the difference between the two?
H.: Well, both cards have the advantage that you can pay without using cash or cheques in almost every conceivable situation. However, the EUROCARD GOLD does have a number of advantages over the normal EUROCARD as regards the credit limit and comprehensive insurance service. There are a number of points worth considering, especially when travelling with a family. Firstly, the EUROCARD GOLD offers a more flexible credit limit which can be of great advantage when suddenly faced with unexpected purchases or other expenses. Furthermore, holders of this card are entitled to a number of insurance covers.
R.: That sounds quite interesting, but doesn't this type of thing lead to more uncontrolled spending?
H.: You know, Mr. Brown, there is some truth in what you say. However, using the card in the appropriate way that shouldn't be the case. It is really a prejudice that spending with the credit card can’t be kept track of as well as other, more usual methods. Every time you use your card, you automatically get a receipt and you can always see what your financial standing is. Apart from this, you receive a monthly statement where each item is listed for you.
R.: What happens when my credit card is stolen?
H.: As soon as you notice the loss or theft of your card, you should inform the central office. However, in the worst case you will only be liable for $ 100.00 of possible losses.
R.: All this seems quite attractive.
H.: In addition, we have a trial period of three months in which you can use the card free of charge and without any obligation after this period.
Ex. IV. Use the following word combinations in sentences of your own (see the text above):
- to be linked to …;
- international application;
- to make a subscription to …;
- an annual fee …;
- to charge for …;
- to run an account;
- to pay interest;
- to offer the use;
- to effect payments;
- to provide security;
- to develop a range of services;
- to withdraw money at a cash dispenser;
- to carry out telephone calls;
- a deposit for a rented car;
- to tempt smb into …
Ex. V. Translate the Ukrainian phrases into English:
1. Більшість банків видає кредитні картки.
2. За утримання рахунку виплачується річний внесок.
3. Страхові послуги охоплюють найважливіші статті рисків.
4. Кредитні картки використовуються для оплати телефонних розмов.
5. Зручність користування кредитною карткою в тому, що витрачається менше часу на покупку.
Part II
Ex. I. Pre-text questions:
What is your opinion of the impact technology has on human life? Make a list of technological achievements over the past 2 centuries and try to imagine how people could do without them only 200 years ago.
Ex. II. Read the text:
Is Technology Making Us Ultimate Strangers?
Cell phones and beepers keep us in touch, but they also keep us from the best of ourselves and others.
By J.Coleman
Every day when I walk out of my house I feel surrounded. Surrounded by mere civilians so loaded down with the latest equipment that any military commander would be envious. Cell phones, beepers, headsets, watches that both tell time and give good e-mail-devices that allow you to keep up and keep track… America is on the move, utterly self-absorbed, multi-tasking, busy, busy, busy…
Frankly, I worry about the freedom we give up, the time to think and reflect, the time to consider where we've been in order to see where we are — or want to be — going.
Now some confessions are in order. I've had an e-mail only for a little more than a year, and I worry that I'm starting to become obsessed by it. If someone hasn't left us a phone message or a fax, there is always a chance that an e-mail awaits.
Do you remember when you and your friends would go to the beach to swim? These days, I go to the beach and see teenagers come out of the water and instantly get on their cell phones. They can't imagine a life without a cell phone.
Nonetheless, I still say: why not step back and view all this progress from a different angle? Instead of trying to figure out ways to do a hundred things at once, why not slow down? After all, the greatest gift you can offer another person is your ability to listen, to act that person feel that you are intent on what he or she is saying, that you have all the time in the world. I have come to learn how much people yearn to be understood, how much they want and need to be able to explain themselves.
Technology, for the most part, creates the illusion of intimacy. As marvelous as it can be, it also keeps us from the best of ourselves and enables us to avoid others. It makes us into intimate strangers.
To me, the most splendid things about a place like New York City, is that you can walk the streets day after day, year after year and always see something new, something that will astonish or touch you. But if you are not open to these things, if you're too busy walking down the street glued to your phone and cut off from all that is around you, you're going to miss something. It may seem intangible and, therefore, unimportant, but those something have a way of adding up.
Active Words and Phrases:
| cell phone | щільниковий телефон | be self-absorbed | заглибитися в свої справи |
| beeper | пристрій, що подає сигнал наявності інформації (біпер) | be obsessed by | бути одержимим (чимось) |
| headset | навушники, головний телефон | slow down | знизити темп |
| keep up | не здавати темп | yearn | прагнути |
| keep track | бути в курсі подій | intangible | невідчутне, нематеріальне |
| be on the move | бути увесь час в русі |
Ex. III. Read the text again and correct the following sentences:
1. Every day when I walk out of my house I feel surrounded by the military people loaded down with the latest equipment.
2. I worry about wasting the time and money.
3. With an E-mail available for over a year I’m starting to feel confident.
4. If someone hasn’t left us a phone message there is always the chance that a note on your desk awaits.
5. Teenagers are obsessed by their computer games.
6. Technology creates the illusion of communication.
7. Technology makes us into close friends.
Ex. IV. Complete the following sentences:
1. Cell phones, beepers, headsets, watches are devices that allow you to keep … and keep …
2. America is on the …, self-…, multi…
3. I’ve had an E-mail only for a little more than a year, and I worry that I’m starting to become … by it.
4. If someone hasn’t left us a phone …, there is always the chance that an e-mail awaits.
5. Why not step back and view all this progress from a different…?
6. The greatest gift you can offer another person is your ability to …
7. I have come to learn how much people yearn to…
8. Technology creates the … intimacy.
9. Technology enables us to … others.
Ex. V. Translate the following sentences into English:
1. Вони не уявляють собі життя без щільникового телефону.
2. Чому б не подивитися на технічний прогрес з іншої точки зору?
3. Цивільні люди знаходяться під тягарем технічного оснащення.
4. Мене тривожить той факт, що я починаю бути одержимим електронною поштою.
5. Технологія створює ілюзію інтимності.
Grammar: Conditionals without if
We can use other words instead of “if”:
1. Unless means if…not
Unless you take an umbrella, you’ll get wet.
Compare if and unless:
- If you take an umbrella, you won’t get wet.
- Unless you take an umbrella, you’ll get wet.
2. as long as, so long as, provided/providing (that)
We use the above to mean if but only if:
- I’ll go to the conference provided you go too.
- I’ll give you my address as long as you keep it a secret.
3. And; or (else)
Keep quiet and you’ll be fine.
We use or (else) to mean if not or otherwise:
- Don’t play the piano at night or else you’ll get into trouble.
4. Should
We can use should instead of if when we are less sure about a possibility:
- Should you run into him somewhere tell him about the problem.
5. Suppose/ supposing
Supposing you’ve got a degree, would you apply for this job?
Ex. I. Use unless instead of if:
1. If you don’t hurry up, you’ll miss the start of the film.
2. If you don’t phone me first, I’ll phone you.
3. You won’t recover if you don’t keep to bed.
4. Your cold won’t go if you don’t call in a doctor.
5. If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll call the police.
6. If you don’t apologize, I’ll never talk to you again.
7. If you don’t clean up this mess, I’ll have to do something about it.
