Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the answer to each of the question.

The financial crisis of 2008 sent shockwaves throughout many countries in the Eurozone, and indeed the world. One of the hardest-hit nations was Greece. For many Greeks this meant being catapulted onto the breadline or worse still, plunged below the line of poverty. For others, the credit crunch prevented them from using credit cards as their debts mounted. While most people despaired, many decided to take the bull by the horns.

When residents of the small town of Volos found themselves struggling to afford even essential items in euros, what they did was to come up with an alternative currency: the TEM. As a local ‘backup’ currency that people can earn by offering their services or goods to others, the TEM system, which brings to mind the ancient bartering system, operates on an exchange basis. Members of the TEM community gain credit by doing jobs for other people or selling them their produce. For example, by selling clothes in TEM at the market, a trader could get language or computer lessons in return.

But it is not only at the local market that TEM is accepted. Even well-established local shops in Volos will accept both TEM and euros. In some cases, payment can be made in part euro and part TEM. Hard-up customers can, therefore, make more affordable purchases and store owners can cover their costs. This is the reason the TEM is becoming more popular: it can be used in tandem withthe euro rather than as a replacement currency.

Such an exchange system is not unique to Volos. Elsewhere in Greece, other communities and social networks have come up with a similar system using an alternative currency called ovolos. This unofficial currency can be used on a national level and is not restricted to a specific city or region. Its users claim that the ovolos has a major advantage over the euro. Itis not affected by inflation or downgrading in the way that the official currency is. Instead, the value of the ovolos remains stable and is protected against devaluation.

(Adapted from Close-up C1 Student’s book by Angela Healen and Katria Gormley)

A. high B. five C. dinner D. fight