14832 credit
IELTS Essay Question: A Credit Card
Example Answer by Jeenn Lee Hsieh
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com 谢振礼
Topic>雅思写作真题
In many countries, it is easy to apply and to get a credit card. However, credit card debt is hard to pay back. Do you think the advantages of a credit card outweigh its disadvantages?
Sample Essay by Jeenn Lee Hsieh>谢振礼 (改作文)
The thing about credit cards is that financially they assume an importance in people's lives. While plastic money is fantastic for convenience-seekers, the trouble is credit card debt because it is a difficult habit to break. In mixed feelings, a credit card is often considered as a "frenemy"--loved and hated almost in equal measure.
Among other positive things, credit cards are an comfortable and secure way to pay for goods and services at stores and online, and thus they are widely accepted. For example, if you need to buy something expensive that you cannot afford to pay for all at once, a credit card is ideal. Besides, you get more protection than if you pay with a debit card, cash or check. What is more, some credit cards offer 0% periods, meaning you can effectively benefit from an interest-free loan, although you need to clear your balance before the 0% offer ends. Further, some card-issuing companies even offer incentives to spend, such as cash-back, loyalty points, or air travel miles, which means you could actually make money from your credit cards. Credit cards being used wisely could put "loan sharks" out of business, so to speak.
However, if you use a credit card unwisely, you could end up paying lots of interest and racking up a debt you struggle to pay off. It is important to remember that a credit card is only a form of short-term borrowing, considering that there are risks about buying now and paying later on a long-term basis. That is to say, if you do not pay off your balance in full each month, you are in for interest at a relatively high rate. As a result, your debt could spiral out of control, particularly if you pay off only the minimum monthly amount. Ironically, responsible use of credit cards seldom exists, and that is probably why there are overwhelming credit card debt problems in many countries Indeed, it is as easy to apply and get a credit card as it is hard to pay back credit card debt.
In sum, there are advantages (as friends) and disadvantages (as enemies) about credit cards. The convenience of plastic may be overshadowed by the worry of credit card debt. After all, like it or not, few can deny the importance of credit cards in today's world. (Esssay by Jeenn Lee Hsieh ielts360toefl@hotmail.com)
