2013届上-海市高三英语一模——简答.docVIP

G:\009 2013届（2012学年）上海市高三英语一模——简答 （长宁） “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” Although this might be excellent advice in matters concerning family and friends, borrowing and lending are frequently the foundation of a booming economy. A loan is a sum of money borrowed for a limited period. A loan may be obtained from an individual or from an institution such as a bank and is generally granted at a specific rate of interest. Interest is the fee that the borrower pays to use the money. An extremely high rate of interest and certainly any amount more than law permits is called usury. Lending money can be a risky business, for there is always the possibility that the borrower may not be able to pay the loan. For this reason, a lender generally requires the borrower to register something valuable of his or hers, known as collateral (抵押), as a part of the loan agreement. A house or an automobile, investments in the stock market, even the value of a business, are all examples of collateral that a lender may be willing to accept in the event that the borrower fails to pay the loan. There are two major sorts of loans: consumer loans and commercial loans. A consumer loan is one that is made to an individual, and it may be to buy a house or an automobile or to finance an education. A commercial loan may be used to start a new business, pay for new equipment and staff, or expand an office or factory. The business of making loans also contributes to a healthy economy by enhancing the employment market. Loans allow consumers to buy and improve homes, creating jobs for carpenters, architects and etc. Loans enable businesses to expand, and when these businesses open a branch office or a new store, they also increase their consumption of office supplies, furnishings, and computers. In a booming economy, money circulates quickly, and each deal represents earnings for someone. It may be reasonable to say that a certain level of debt is normal, even necessary, to a healthy economy a