As recently as three decades ago, many Americans believed that using credit was an unwise and dangerous way to pay for what they bought. Some even thought that owing money to a store or a credit company was something to be ashamed of. Good citizens, they believed, always bought what they wanted with real money and they paid the full price immediately.
Today, however, all that has changed. Credit, as some observers have noted, has become a way of life in the United States. More and more Americans now are depending on those small pieces of plastic, credit cards, to pay for large purchases such as televisions, record players or furniture. Many people today would consider it unusual_ not to use a credit card to pay for a costly restaurant dinner, a hotel room or an airline trip. And there are some situations in which Americans must have credit cards. If they want the temporary use of a car, for example, they first must give the car rental company the number of their credit card. That number is considered a guarantee that they will return the car and pay for using it.
Credit cards offer two major services to Americans. First of all, they are easier and safer to carry than large amounts of money. Second, they permit people to borrow, to have the immediate pleasure of owning something, even if they do not have enough money to pay for it at the time. With credit cards people pay for goods or services at the end of each month instead of when they buy them. And when the time does come to pay, most credit cards offer people a choice. They can pay all of what they owe for the month or they can just pay usually between 5 and 10 percent of what they owe.
What do Americans feel about using credit cards nowadays according to the passage?
They consider it valuable.
They regard it as a shame.
They think it dangerous.
They find it quite convenient.
文章第一段写以前美国人对信用卡的看法很不好，第二段写如今人们的态度发生了改变，越来越多的人使用信用卡，有了信用卡生活更方便，故选D。
Why does the car rental company ask for the credit card number?
To prevent the overuse of the car.
To make sure that the car won't be damaged.
To make sure the user returns the car and pays for using it.
To ensure that the car is safely and timely returned.
根据文章第二段最后两句可知，汽车出租商要信用卡卡号是为了确保租车人会归还汽车并付费，故选C。
What advantage can credit card holders have?
They can choose not to pay for their purchases.
They can easily borrow money at a lower interest.
They can own something before they actually pay for it.
They can pay only a small amount of what they owe.
由文章第三段第三句“they permit people to borrow...for it at the time”可知，即使目前不能支付得起，人们仍然可以提前拥有某样东西，故选C。
What is the best title for the passage?
Credit-a Way of Life in America
Credit Services in America
Convenience of Living in America
History of Credit Cards in America
整篇文章讲的是美国人对使用信用卡的态度和信用卡的使用对美国人生活的影响，所以“信用消费——美国的一种生活方式”最能概括全文，故选A。