What future for a humble British coin? 小面值英镑硬币 未来是去是留？
英国财政部正在征求各界人士对现金未来的看法，此举可能是为取消1便士（100便士相当于1英镑，1便士约为人民币8分）及2便士的小面值硬币铺平道路。该部门邀请了相关人士就目前流通的各类小面值硬币给予置评，因为随着消费者转向非现金支付，如非接触式付款和数字消费，现金的使用越来越少。
The Treasury says that six out of ten copper coins are used only once before being stashed away or even chucked in the bin. The Royal Mint has been issuing hundreds of millions of the coins every year, only for them to disappear into jars or the back of drawers, which the government believes isn't cost-effective.
There's been a sharp drop in cash transactions under five pounds since the introduction of contactless card payments. As yet, the Treasury says it has no plans to get rid of the coins but many see this as the beginning of the end.
英国财政部称，每十枚铜币（即便士）中就会有六枚硬币仅在一次使用后就被人存置一旁，甚至被扔进垃圾箱。英国皇家铸币局（The Royal Mint）每年都在发行数以千万枚的硬币，而这些硬币最后却只能被藏到存钱罐里或是抽屉的深处，英国政府认为这是不划算的。
自英国引进非接触式银行卡支付以来，小于五镑的现金交易数量急剧下降。到目前为止，财政部说还没有制定废除小额硬币的相关计划，但很多人把政府征求置评一事看作小额硬币最终退出流通市场的开始。
1. 词汇表 stashed 被存放，被藏匿起来
chucked 被扔掉
cost-effective 划算的，成本效益高的
transactions （金钱上的）交易，这里是复数，指多笔交易
contactless card payments 非接触式银行卡付款，略称“contactless”
the beginning of the end 事物走向结束的开端
2. 阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题 。 1. What type of metal are the British 1p and 2p coins made of?
2. True or false? The Royal Mint issued more than a million pounds worth of these small coins last year.
3. According to the report, why are fewer small coins being used?
4. Which phrase used in the report, implies that these small coins may eventually be phased out?
3. 答案 1. What type of metal are the British 1p and 2p coins made of?
They are made of copper. They are sometimes informally referred to as 'coppers'.
2. True or false? The Royal Mint issued more than a million pounds worth of these small coins last year.
False. The Royal Mint has been issuing hundreds of millions of the coins every year – this is the number of coins but not the value in sterling.
3. According to the report, why are fewer small coins being used?
More people are using contactless cards to make small payments with.
4. Which phrase used in the report, implies that these small coins may eventually be phased out?
'The beginning of the end'.