Focus 4 Money. Reading comprehension./Use of English

Read the text about an unusual shop. Match the shop with the sentences 1–5. The shop may match with more than one sentence.

BARTER BOOKS

Barter Books in the north of England may not be famous but one of their discoveries is. The bookshop is situated in an old railway station in the town of Alnwick. Many of the original features of the station still exist. There are open fires during the winter and the station buffet still offers tasty snacks and a chance to rest aching feet. In 2001, the owners of the shop bought a box of old books and found a forgotten poster from the Second World War inside. They put it up in the shop and the people who came in were so interested that the shop started selling copies of it. Other companies soon did the same. The poster was red with a picture of a crown at the top. Underneath were five words: Keep calm and carry on.

Read the text about an unusual shop. Match the shop with the sentences 1–5. The shop may match with more than one sentence.

CYBER CANDY

There are currently six Cyber candy stores, four of which are in London. They are sweet shops but with a difference. They import sweets from all over the world. These are not just famous brands but little known, hard to find sweets and drinks as well. They also have an online store which makes it easy to find exactly what you want. The products are listed by type of sweet, by country of origin and even by colour. Very useful if you only want blue sweets. One category you may not be so keen on is real insect candy but, whatever your likes, you’re sure to find something delicious at Cyber candy.

Read the text about an unusual shop. Match the shop with the sentences 1–5. The shop may match with more than one sentence.

RAG TRADE BOUTIQUE

The Rag Trade Boutique in Bristol understands its customers well. According to surveys, women regularly wear only about 10 percent of the clothes in their wardrobes. However, they also like to buy more clothes. That’s why, at the Rag Trade Boutique, you can take in any designer clothes you don’t want and, when the shop sells them, you get up to 50 percent of the money, depending on whether you choose cash or the chance to buy something else in this wonderful shop. Only clothes in good condition are accepted and it’s a great place to find bargains. The longer the clothes stay in the shop, the more the prices are reduced but, don’t delay, anything unsold after seven weeks is given away to charity.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

James took out a _____ to buy a new motorbike.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

Harry _____ Ken money to buy his girlfriend a present.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

The dress _____ €40, so I have just enough money to pay for it.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

I went to the ATM to _____ money.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

They say that the diamond _____ over €5 million.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

I paid for the meal with a €20 _____.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

I made a €2,000 _____ into my bank account.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

Nick promised to _____ the money I’d lent him as soon as he could

Choose the correct option for each gap.

I don’t know many people who _____ a Ferrari.

Choose the correct option for each gap.

The barber _____ Sam $10 for his haircut.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1 __. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen. 2 __. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1__. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen.2__. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1__. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen.2__. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1__. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen.2__. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1__. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen.2__. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

Read an article about the rise of a cashless society, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1__. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen.2__. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.