Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Do you think paying in smaller amounts feels easier than paying one large amount? Why?
- What do you think makes money stressful for people today?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- unstable /uhn-STEY-buhl/
[adjective] – not steady or likely to change suddenly
An unstable internet connection made online meetings difficult. - installment /in-STAWL-muhnt/
[noun] – a single payment made as part of a series of payments
The course fee was divided into several installment payments. - advocate /AD-vuh-keyt/
[noun] – a person who publicly supports a cause or idea
Health advocates asked for better access to medical care. - convenience /kuhn-VEEN-yuhns/
[noun] – the quality of being easy to use or helpful
Online shopping offers convenience for busy workers. - debt /det/
[noun] – money that a person must pay back
Student loans can create long-term debt after graduation.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Many American renters are now using “rent now, pay later” services to manage rising housing costs and unstable incomes. These financial products, provided by companies like Flex and Livble, allow tenants to split their monthly rent into smaller installments. This trend is growing because rent prices in the United States have increased by nearly 28% over the last five years. According to the Census Bureau, many of the 42.5 million renter households are “cost-burdened.” This means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, which makes it difficult for them to save money or plan for the future.
Although these companies promote their services as helpful tools for financial flexibility, consumer advocates express serious concerns. They argue that these products often act like short-term loans with very high costs. For example, some users pay monthly fees and percentages that result in extremely high interest rates. Critics believe these services do not solve the basic problem of expensive housing. Instead, they fear that landlords might raise prices even further if these payment plans become common. There is a risk that this temporary convenience could lead to long-term debt for vulnerable people rather than providing a real solution to the housing crisis.
Although these companies promote their services as helpful tools for financial flexibility, consumer advocates express serious concerns. They argue that these products often act like short-term loans with very high costs. For example, some users pay monthly fees and percentages that result in extremely high interest rates. Critics believe these services do not solve the basic problem of expensive housing. Instead, they fear that landlords might raise prices even further if these payment plans become common. There is a risk that this temporary convenience could lead to long-term debt for vulnerable people rather than providing a real solution to the housing crisis.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What services are many American renters using to manage rising housing costs?
- What do “rent now, pay later” services allow tenants to do with their monthly rent?
- Why is the use of these services growing in the United States?
- What does it mean when households are described as “cost-burdened”?
- What risk do critics see if these payment plans become common?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever heard of “pay later” services? If yes, why do people choose to use these services? If not, what do you think a “pay later” service allows people to do?
- Have you ever heard about people living in places where housing costs are very high? If yes, how do high housing costs usually affect people’s spending habits? If not, what things help make a city more affordable to live in?
- Do you agree that paying rent in smaller installments feels easier than paying it all at once?
- Why do you think many renters choose “rent now, pay later” services?
- What other ways can help renters manage housing costs without using loans?