Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 22.
Going Cashless: How Digital Payments Are Changing Our Money Habits
The way people handle money is changing rapidly. According to recent data from Capital One Shopping, nearly half of American adults now make no cash purchases in a typical week. This shift away from physical currency represents one of the most significant changes in personal finance behavior, (18) __________.
Digital payment methods have become the dominant force in modern commerce. Credit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay, and online payment platforms (19) __________. The statistics are striking: approximately 87% of all transactions in the United States are now cashless, and projections suggest this figure will reach 94% by 2027. (20) __________, demonstrating how thoroughly digital payments have penetrated daily life.
This transition has created both opportunities and challenges for personal saving. Many financial apps now offer features that automatically round up purchases and transfer spare change into savings accounts, making it easier to build emergency funds without conscious effort. (21) __________. When people cannot see or touch their money, the emotional connection to spending weakens, potentially leading to overspending and reduced savings.
Despite the convenience, concerns about financial inclusion remain significant. Currently, about 4% of American households are unbanked, meaning they rely primarily on cash for transactions. As ATM numbers decline and businesses adopt cashless policies, obtaining physical cash becomes harder for those who need it most, creating a divide between those (22) __________.
