Surveys show that most families never discuss money at home. Parents worry that a child who hears about the 11 will be frightened. Yet children who never see a household 12 often reach twenty without knowing how much rent costs. Some schools now run a simple course. Students are given an imaginary monthly 13 and a list of bills, and must decide what to cut. Almost every class chooses to cut food first and later regrets it. Teachers say the point is not to produce an 14, but to let young people make an expensive mistake while it is still only a 15 on paper.
A young couple in Taichung saved for six years before they could pay the 16 on a small flat. The bank then lent them the rest as a twenty-year 17. Their monthly payment is now slightly lower than the rent they used to pay, but the couple say the real change is psychological. Repairs are their own 18 now; nobody else will fix a leaking pipe. Their adviser told them to keep three months of 19 in the bank for emergencies. That advice, the husband says, has already proved more useful than any 20 about interest rates.
This branch will close permanently on 30 September. The nearest branch will then be Minsheng, a ten-minute walk away.
Accounts, cards and regular payments will move automatically. You do not need to do anything.
Safe deposit boxes must be emptied before 20 September.
The cash machine outside this building will remain in service.
Customers over 70, or anyone who finds the change difficult, may ask for a home visit by calling 0800-221-118. Staff will help you move to online banking free of charge.
解析will move automatically. You do not need to do anything。
22What is the deadline for safe deposit boxes?
A10 September
B30 September
C20 September
D1 October
✔ 正確答案：(C) 20 September
中譯保管箱的期限是何時？
解析must be emptied before 20 September。
23What will remain available after the branch closes?
AThe safe deposit boxes
BThe meeting room
CThe counter service
DThe cash machine outside
✔ 正確答案：(D) The cash machine outside
中譯分行關閉後什麼仍可使用？
解析The cash machine outside this building will stay open。
24Who may ask for a home visit?
AOnly online banking users
BCustomers over 70 or those finding it difficult
CAnyone with a safe deposit box
DOnly business customers
✔ 正確答案：(B) Customers over 70 or those finding it difficult
中譯誰可以申請到府服務？
解析Customers over 70, or anyone who finds the change difficult。
ARTICLE
The Cost of Being Poor
Economists have long noticed something unfair: it is expensive to have little money. A family that cannot pay a year's insurance all at once must pay monthly, and monthly costs more. A worker without a bank account pays a fee to cash a cheque. Without capital, a family cannot buy in bulk or mend a roof before it leaks.
Cheap shoes are another example. A pair that lasts four months may cost a third as much as a pair that lasts three years, but over a decade the cheap pair costs far more.
Some cities now lend small sums at no interest so that families can buy the yearly plan rather than the monthly one. Early results suggest that the loans are almost always repaid.
✔ 正確答案：(D) Having little money makes things cost more
中譯作者的主要觀點是什麼？
解析it is expensive to have little money 為全文主旨。
26Why does a worker without a bank account pay more?
AHe lives in a violent neighborhood
BHe must buy insurance
CHe pays higher taxes
DHe pays a fee to cash a cheque
✔ 正確答案：(D) He pays a fee to cash a cheque
中譯沒有銀行帳戶的工人為何要多付錢？
解析pays a fee to cash a cheque。文中談的是沒有銀行帳戶要付手續費，並未提到住在 violent 暴力的社區。
27What does the shoe example show?
ACheap items can cost more over time
BPrices rise every decade
CEveryone should buy expensive shoes
DGood shoes should bind the foot firmly
✔ 正確答案：(A) Cheap items can cost more over time
中譯鞋子的例子說明什麼？
解析over a decade the cheap pair costs far more。鞋子是否 bind 綑綁、緊裹住腳並不是這個例子要說明的重點。
28What have some cities started doing?
AOpening free bank branches
BSelling insurance directly
CLending small sums at no interest
DGiving away shoes
✔ 正確答案：(C) Lending small sums at no interest
中譯有些城市開始做什麼？
解析lend small sums at no interest。
EMAIL
About the Company Savings Plan
Hi Wei,
You asked me yesterday whether to join the company savings plan, so here is what I know.
The company adds 50 cents for every dollar you put in, up to 5% of your salary. That part is simply free money, so I would put in at least 5%. It is the easiest financial decision I have ever made.
The money cannot be taken out until you leave the company or turn 60. That is the catch. If you think you may need cash for a flat in the next two years, keep some savings outside the plan as well.
Ask Ms. Liu in accounts for the form. It takes about ten minutes.