Supermarket Reviews & Getting a Credit Card - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations

Read the text below and answer questions 1-8.

Supermarket reviews

A Sharpsavers

Customers are impressed with this supermarket’s environmentally-friendly packaging as well as the attractive in-store cafes for customers. A wider range of goods has recently been introduced and there are also plans for online shopping facilities in the near future.

B Carltons

This is generally accepted as the best of all the supermarkets for value for money. Stock range isn’t as wide as in some other supermarkets, but this doesn’t appear to put customers off – in fact they say they’re happy that they don’t have to spend time making decisions on what brand to buy.

C TruCost

Customers like the regular discounts at this supermarket although the fruit and vegetables on sale are sometimes a bit past their best. A new app now allows customers to shop from any location, but a few setbacks have been reported when using this.

D Fressons

This supermarket is known for its local produce and customers also like the layout of its stores and the easy availability of parking, but checkout queuing times are a problem. Products also tend to be more expensive than in some other supermarkets, and some customers say they can’t afford to shop there regularly.

E ValuMart

This supermarket has relatively poor ratings for its in-store shopping, with complaints about inconvenient opening hours and many items being out of stock. However, customers are impressed with how straightforward the website is to use, and the availability of delivery slots.

F Greenbaums

This is overall the most popular supermarket with shoppers, who appreciate the wide range of products available and their excellent quality. The staff here are also extremely helpful, although other supermarkets may be more competitive in their pricing.

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Read the text below and answer Questions 9-14.

Getting a credit card

To qualify for a credit card you will need to give information about where you live and how much you earn. Before offering you a card, the card provider will do a credit check to investigate whether you have any history of outstanding debts. The amount it allows you to spend – your credit limit – will be based on this and your other circumstances. Credit limits tend to be modest to begin with but are often increased by banks over time. The card provider will also stipulate a minimum monthly repayment you need to make. You should avoid only paying the minimum your provider asks for each month, as interest has to be paid on outstanding balances.

Many cards have some form of insurance built into them, covering damage to goods purchased with the card or cancellation of a flight or holiday. This is free, but there are usually conditions attached so read the small print if you intend to rely on the cover. Bear in mind that you don’t have to pay the full amount on your card to get protection – the key thing is the price of the product you are buying. For example, if you’re buying a £500 flight, and pay £100 on your card and £400 in cash, your credit card will protect you for the full amount.

When choosing a card the easiest option is to go to your bank, but it may not offer the best deal for your circumstances. Instead you should consider how you will use the card and look for one that suits your needs. Store cards are usually available at the point of sale and can be used to make a purchase once a credit check and application form have been completed, which can take as little as 10 minutes. Retailers often offer incentives to sign up for their cards, which may include an introductory discount on goods. However, interest rates on these cards tend to be high. Affinity cards are credit cards with the logo of a charitable organisation on them. The charity will receive donations based on your spending. These don’t tend to add up to much, and if the card has an uncompetitive interest rate you may be better off choosing a cheaper card and making donations separately.