Vocabulary

$1,200 maximum (twelve hundred dollar)

abroad (adv.)

accepted (past part., to accept)

accounts (noun, pl.)

Although there are many kinds of bank accounts, "charge accounts" are "lines of credit."

address (noun)

agree, you (to agree)

amount (noun)

application (noun)

One may refer to an "application," a "form" or an "application form" when applying for a "credit line" or even a "job."

apply (inf., to apply)

approval (noun)

"Approval" takes place when your charge account is approved or when your credit card is accepted after your balance is verified.

assures, he (to assure)

balance (noun)

charge (noun as adj.)

Do not confuse the verb "to charge" with the noun "a charge," meaning an additional cost: "Is there a charge for this service?" "A charge" can also refer to a "charge card" or "credit card."

details (noun, pl.)

employee (noun)

Someone who "employs" an "employee" is an "employer." In reference to the word "employer," the word may refer to a person ("Beth is my employer") or to a name of a company ("HyperGlot is my employer").

end (noun)

entirely (adv.)

form (noun)

forwarded (past part., to forward)

Notice the expression "I'm having all my mail forwarded." The Grammar section of this chapter will deal with the verb "have" in causal constructions.

great! (interj.)

history (noun)

Your "credit history" deals with your previous financial record (usually covering a span of the last seven years).

how long? (interr.)

This interrogative can relate to time ("How long is the movie?--Two hours.") as well as to distance ("How long is the trip?--500 miles.").

increase (inf., to increase)

interest (noun)

"Interest" is the amount of money you pay to a "lender" when you take out a "loan." Interest is also the "monthly" (or "annual") percentage (%) you pay for a loan or "earn" in a "savings account."

itself (intensive pron.)

let, we'll (to let, fut.)

limit (noun)

Your "limit" is the maximum amount you can charge to your account.

line of credit (noun)

Your "line" or "line of credit" is the amount of money that is available to you.

mail, we (to mail)

maximum (noun)

The opposite of "maximum" is "minimum."

outlets (noun)

An "outlet" is not only considered to be a "branch" of a store. A "factory outlet mall" is a shopping center where you go for big savings because you can buy directly from the manufacturer (goods may be damaged, irregular, or discontinued--hence, the savings).

previous (adj.)

problem (noun)

An extremely common expression that you will hear in English is "No problem." "No problem." can be used in place of "You're welcome." or to indicate your agreement with a proposed idea (as in "I have no problem with that.").

purchases (noun, pl.)

remaining (adj.)

Your "remaining balance" is the amount on your line of credit that you have not paid off at the end of the month.

usually (adv.)

Other similar words include "frequently," "normally," "often," "regularly," and "ordinarily."

while (adv.)

within (prep.)

work out (inf., to work out)

To "work out" can mean several things. One can resolve or "work through" one's problems (as in "Everything worked out in the end."/ "Things didn't work out at all."). One can go to a "gymnasium" and "work out" or "exercise." One can also "work out" of one's home or car. In the case of the dialogue, "work out" signifies "figure out" or "deal with" the details.

write down! (imp., to write down)

yet (adv.)

Story

After picking up your car, you go to the department store. As you prepare to pay for your purchases, the clerk asks if you would like to apply for a store credit card. After he assures you that the card is accepted in more than a hundred outlets throughout the U.S., you agree to apply for one at the credit office.