Bill : What’s the deal with using ATMs in Europe?
Anna: Well, we need to ask our bank a few questions. Like: Can we use our same PIN?
Bill : Right. Because the keypads on European machines only have numbers, and my PIN has letters in it.
Anna: And then we need to find out which systems will accept our card.
Bill : And if there are any fees.
Anna : call the bank now with our questions!
In Bill’s question “What’s the deal …?” deal means:
- problem
- penalty
- procedure
ANSWER: c
Vocabulary
ATM automatic teller machine; also called “cash machine”
PIN personal identification number (the secret number you enter when using an ATM)
fee a fixed charge
We can also call ATM cards and credit cards plastic. For example: The street vendor accepts cash or plastic in payment for the jewelry he sells.
Pronunciation Note
An acronym is a pronounceable word formed from each of the first letters of a descriptive phrase. For example, when we see PIN, we don’t say “P-I-N”. We say “pin”.
An acronym is actually a type of abbreviation. With some abbreviations, we say the letters that we see. For example, when we see ATM, we say: “A-T-M”.
Learn how to pronounce some more abbreviations:
You see: UFO You say: “U-F-0”
It means: unidentified flying object
You see: NATO You say: “nato”
It means: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Cultural Note
Do you know the names of currencies in English-speaking countries around the world? It’s pretty easy to remember. All of the following countries use dollars EXCEPT one:
Australia – Canada – New Zealand – United Kingdom – United States Which country does not use dollars, and what is the name of its currency? Answer: The “pound” is used in the United Kingdom.
QUIZ
1. Bill asked what______ deal was with using ATMs in Europe.
a. a
b. the
c. some
2. A “PIN” is ______
- something you write with
- a piece of jewelry
- a Personal Identification Number
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