Unit: 6
QR Code (Simplified Text)
QR codes, also known as Quick Response Codes, are a common way for businesses to accept payments. They started in places like Japan and later became popular in China. The international standard for QR codes, ISO/IEC 18004, was approved in 2000. They first became popular on mobile phones when smartphones became common. People used them to get information, like opening a website from a poster. For payments, different companies like Tencent and Alibaba had their own ways of doing it. In 2017, the payments industry agreed on a common way through EMVCo.
To help people get used to QR codes, they were added to Tencent's social media service WeChat. This made it easy for friends to connect by scanning a QR code on their friend's phone screen. After that, QR codes were also used in Alipay for making payments on Alibaba. WeChat expanded to have WeChat Pay, a payment service built into the social media app. Now, both Alipay and WeChat Pay let you make payments in person and online, including things like shopping and paying bills.
There are two main ways QR code payments work when you're face-to-face with a merchant. Either the customer shows a QR code for the merchant to scan, or the merchant shows a QR code for the customer to scan.
If the customer shows the QR code, the merchant can decide the payment amount before scanning and tell the customer. Once they agree, the QR code is scanned, and the merchant's machine asks for payment from the customer's account. This can happen directly from the payment system or through a middleman called an acquirer. Both the customer and the merchant get a notification saying if the payment worked or not. After that, the merchant gives the customer the things they bought.
But in this way, there's a risk that a dishonest merchant might set the wrong payment amount before scanning, trying to trick the customer. So, a good system needs a strong way for customers to dispute and resolve these issues.
When a customer scans the QR code from the store, especially in places like fast-food places or markets, things can get a bit more complicated. If the price is already set, the customer can scan the code, check the details like the store name and the cost, and say "yes" to the purchase. After that, the information goes to the payment system, just like before.
There are two main ways to use QR codes for buying things. The first way is a bit inconvenient. The customer scans the code, checks the store name, and types in how much they want to pay. Then, this information goes to the store, and if everything is okay, the customer gets the stuff they bought. If not, they might argue about it.
The second way is to use a dynamic QR code. For this, the store needs a smartphone or a special device that shows QR codes. The store person puts in the purchase details, and the device makes a QR code with the cost and store info. The customer scans it, checks everything, says "yes" to the payment, and it goes to the payment system, just like before.
The most well-known QR code payment methods are AliPay and WeChat Pay. But these work like closed systems, where all the buying and selling happen within their own space. A similar way of doing things is used by bKash in Bangladesh.
In Singapore, they're doing things differently. They've set up a more open system where various efforts have created a national QR code payment service. This service works with both regular bank accounts and digital finance accounts. On the other hand, big global card companies like Visa and Mastercard have introduced many services worldwide. These services connect QR code payments to debit and credit card accounts.
QR Codes – International Card Schemes
After the EMVCo standard was made, Visa and Mastercard started QR code payments in 2017, especially in developing countries. They are concentrating on QR codes shown by the seller, whether they stay the same or change; if they stay the same, the customer has to type in how much they want to pay. To make sure it's safe, they use their card PIN.
Visa and Mastercard are now offering their services in many countries like India, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria (with Interswitch), Cambodia, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam. Visa calls their service "mVisa QR," and Mastercard calls theirs "Masterpass QR."
These services are mainly for people who have a bank account and a valid Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. Also, the bank they use must be part of the system and integrate it into their mobile banking app. To use the service, customers just need to download their bank's app on their phone, put in their account details, and they're good to go. There's no extra sign-up needed to use QR codes.
However, these standards can also be used by systems that aren't part of the big international payment schemes. For example, in Zimbabwe, EcoCash uses the Masterpass QR standard for their EcoCash Scan and Pay service.
QR based payment scheme
For any payment system using QR codes, there has to be someone in charge of the whole process. This person is called the "scheme operator." They take care of things like putting the scheme's name on places that accept it, making the rules for the scheme, and handling problems and special cases.
The scheme operator also has to figure out how to handle transactions – this can be different depending on how the payment system works. It could be like the closed systems of WeChat Pay and AliPay, or it could be like the services offered by card payment companies and their banks. In Singapore, they've created a different kind of system called "push payments." The scheme operator is in charge of making sure this system works for the scheme, either by running it themselves or by making sure everyone in the scheme can easily use a good and affordable system.
QR code payments security
People are worried about the security of QR code payments. Right now, there isn't much security in how the codes are used. A bad person could easily put their own code on top of a store's code, and nobody might notice. The main way to stop this is by using special codes for each store, registering them, and getting instant notifications when someone pays. When you scan the code, it only gets the store's special code, and that's sent to the payment system. For this attack to work, the bad person would need a valid store code to get the money, and the process of signing up a store gives enough info to catch them. If a customer paid but the store didn't know, the store wouldn't give the stuff, and they'd figure out where the money went, leading them straight to the bad person.
But this process takes a lot of time and money (especially in busy stores with lots of small transactions where missing a notification might not be noticed). It's better to prevent fraud from happening instead of fixing it later.
The first way to stop fraud is with the customer. If the app shows the store's name (the name they use, not the company name), the customer can check if it's correct. This can be a stronger protection by using a digital signature. This means the app checks if the store's ID and name are real, not fake, before the customer pays. This way, the app can be sure the store's name is right, the QR code is from the right place, and it's not fake. This works for both regular and changing QR codes. For changing QR codes, the app checks the signed store ID and name, but the payment amount doesn't need a signature.
Questions for Practice:
a. What are QR codes?
b. Where did QR codes originate?
c. When was the international standard for QR Codes approved?
d. What is the international standard for QR codes?
e. How were QR codes used to increase customer familiarity with Tencent's WeChat?
f. Which two companies initially adopted proprietary standards for QR code payments and when was the industry standard developed?
g. What are the two broad models for a QR code payment service in a face-to-face environment?
h. What challenges does the first model of customer-presented QR codes pose, and how can they be addressed?
i. What is suggested as the first line of defense against QR code payment fraud?
j. How can a more robust protection measure be achieved in QR code payments?
Working with words
A. Match the words with their meanings.
a. prominent- ix. standing out so as to be seen easily, conspicuous
vulnerable - iv. exposed to the possibility of being attacked / harmed
c. potentially - viii. with the capacity to develop or happen in the future
d. transaction- i. an instance of buying or selling of something
e. initiatives - ii. the power or opportunity to do something before others do
f. launched - iii. to introduce a new plan or product
g. enduring - vi. lasting over a period of time; durable
h. robust - v. strong and unlikely to break or fall
B. Find their full forms.
QR – Quick Response
ISO -International Organization for Standardisation
IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission
URLs- Uniform Resource Locator
EMVCo – Europay, Mastercard, and Visa Companies
PIN – Personal Identification Number
C. Vowel Sounds /ʊ/ and /u:/
Put- /pʊt/
Push- /pʊʃ/
Boom- /buːm/
Fool- /fuːl/
Food- /fuːd/
Hood- /hʊd/
loose - /luːs/v
full- /fʊl/
bull- /bʊl/
book- /bʊk/
foot- /fʊt/
boost- /buːst/
vgroom- /ɡruːm/moon- /muːn/
soon- /suːn/
look- /lʊk/
hook- /hʊk/
cook- /kʊk/
should- /ʃʊd/
soot- /sʊt/
room- /ruːm/, /rʊm/
Soothe- /suːð/
stood - /stʊd/
Comprehension
A. True or False or NOT GIVEN
a. The system of QR codes was first launched in South Asia. False
b. The standards of payments via the QR codes were approved by EMVCo. False
c. All sorts of businesses are aided by the QR code payments. True
d. There are several models to the QR code payment service. False (The text focuses solely on two main models of QR code payment service.)
e. In countries like Nepal, the QR code paying system is a complete fiasco. Not Given
f. The QR codes payment service is not applicable to small business. False
B. Answer these questions.
a. How ............ QR codes paying system?
One can pay with QR codes paying system by scanning a QR code displayed on a smart phone.
b. How ............ Tencent and Alibaba companies ............the QR code services at the beginning?
At the beginning, Tencent and Alibaba companies utilized QR code services by adopting proprietary standards for payments.
c. How ............ Visa and Mastercard mitigate payment problems?
The QR code based payment services launched by Visa and Mastercard mitigate payment problems with a focus on emerging economies. Both Visa and Mastercard are focusing on merchant presented QR codes, whether static or dynamic.
d. Why............ the QR code based payment system?
We need a scheme operator to run the QR code based payment system for scheme branding at acceptance points, defining the scheme rules and providing a mechanism for handling disputes and exceptions.
e. What ............ to use the QR codes services?
To use the QR codes services, customers download their bank’s mobile banking app onto their smartphone and personalize it with their account details. There is no requirement for specific enrolment to use QR codes.
f. How can ............ payment via QR codes be addressed?
Security concerns related to payment via QR codes can be addressed through the use of merchant IDs, registration and real-time notification of payment.
g. Who ............ in terms of payment issues? Why?
Customer should be more careful in terms of payment issues because if the app displayed the merchant’s name, he or she could check that it was correct. This could be part of more robust protection, achieved through the use of a digital signature, so that the merchant ID and merchant name are authenticated by the mobile banking app as well as the customer before the payment is made.
h. Do you think the QR code ............ all sorts of payment problems? Why?
No, I don't think the QR code based payment can be a panacea for all sorts of payment problems. It is expensive and complex transaction as it requires smart phones./No, the QR code-based payment system is not a cure-all for all payment problems. It has limitations as it can be expensive and complex, requiring smartphones for transactions.
Critical thinking
a. Some business houses, shops and department stores in city areas have started to adopt QR code payment systems in Nepal, too. What should be done to make it more accessible? Discuss.
QR code has revolutionized digital payment services all over Nepal. All kinds of traders from supermarkets to groceries, restaurants, and local vendors, are accepting QR code payments these days. Consumers can make payments by scanning the QR code, which they find to be the easiest transaction.
Infrastructural development like high-speed internet connection and wider user accessibility are required to be considered. Payment service providers, payment service operators, financial institutes, and traders should work together to bring interoperability to their digital payment services. The ultimate aim should be offering a solution for the consumers to access all kinds of e-payment services, including QR code payment.
b. Is it possible to apply such cashless methods in payments in Nepal? Discuss.
QR code payment can be a significant factor in uplifting Nepal’s digital economy. A couple of years ago, the use of the digital platform for transactions was quite limited. But the trend of using cash as a mode of payment is gradually shifting to digital transactions. This makes consumers believe that the future of transactions is a cashless payment method and Nepal is moving towards becoming a cashless society.
There are several benefits of a cashless economy. One of the major benefits of going cashless is the security factor. By going cashless people will not have to worry about theft and robbery. Further, to talk about transactions of large amounts or just general transactions, digital payment systems provide transparency as they enable users to have records of the transaction which may decrease the fake activities. Additionally, consumers in every part of the country can have access to financial services and easily make simple transactions. Cashless payment helps a businessman to save time and cost of cash management and reduce the paperwork.
The cashless payment system needs advanced technology system skills, a smartphone, and a technology facility. If the lack of these facilities is fulfilled, it is possible to apply the digital mode of payment system in Nepal.
Writing
B. Write a news article about digital payment systems in Nepal.
Digital Payment Systems in Nepal
By Sudhir Thapa
October 1, Pokhara
In recent years, there has been a great change in technology. This has resulted in new alternatives for people to interact with money. In Nepal, several digital payment methods are being used. Services like ATM cards, mobile banking, internet banking, mobile wallets, and QR payments have permitted banks to reach customers easily and quickly. Technology-aided payment systems are expanding the society's access to digital economy.
Though cashless payment system came to the scene quite some time ago, it had always been struggling to make an impact in the Nepali market. The tough government regulations or the hesitance from the people to switch from the traditional cash payment methods due to trust issues, were the reasons that the cashless payment couldn’t make significant progress for quite a while. But that has changed in the past couple of years with digital payment gaining a remarkable spike in the market.
In the Nepalese market, new digital payment platforms such as Khalti, Fonepay, IMEPay, and Connect IPS have made an impact, as well as the old undisputed gateway eSewa, putting in substantial efforts. One can say that it has been a joint effort to make this happen.
There are still a lot of improvements to be done for Nepal to go cashless. It is certain that with the improvement of established foundations and the development of new ones, Nepal can flawlessly achieve a cashless economy.
Grammar
Questions
B. Choose the correct words from the box to complete the sentences.
[do, you, is, can, where, did, does, did]
a. Is your friend a scientist? – No, he's an artist.
b. Does Naresh live in Kathmandu? – No, he lives in Pokhara.
c. When did you get home? – I got home yesterday.
d. What time do you get up? – I get up at 6:00.
e. Did the children go to the parK? – Yes, they went there after school.
f. Are you going to school? – No, I'm going home.
g. Can you speak Chinese? – Just a little.
h. Where did you grow up? – I grew up in Okhaldhunga.
Informative Questions / WH- Questions
An informative question seeks information and is designed to gain knowledge or understanding about a particular topic. It usually starts with words like "what," "why," "how," "when," or "where." Here's an example:
- What is the main purpose of your research project?
1. What:
Use: Asking about things or actions.
Example: What is your favorite color?
2. Who:
Use: Asking about people (as a subject).
Example: Who is coming to the party?
3. Whom:
Use: Also used for asking about people (as an object).
Example: Whom did you invite to the event?
4. Whose:
Use: Asking about possession or ownership.
Example: Whose book is this?
5. Which:
Use: Asking about a specific item or choice among options.
Example: Which movie do you want to watch?
6. When:
Use: Asking about time or duration.
Example: When is your birthday?
7. Where:
Use: Asking about place or location.
Example: Where did you go on vacation?
8. Why:
Use: Asking about reasons or explanations.
Example: Why did you choose that career?
9. How:
Use: Asking about manner, condition, or means.
Example: How did you learn to play the guitar?
C. Make wh-questions so that the words in bold become the answer.
a. Romeo loves Juliet.
Whom does Romeo love?
b. My mother made a delicious bread yesterday.
What did my /your mother make yesterday?
c. The music was composed by Narayan Gopal.
Who was the music composed by?
d. I'm looking for a new book.What are you looking for?
e. They were talking about the new movie.
What were they talking about?
f. She got the idea from a story.
What did she get from a story?
g. She always goes to school on foot.
How does she always go to school?
h. She sometimes goes to the cinema.
How often does she go to the cinema?
i. They have been waiting for three years.
How long have they been waiting?
Direct and Indirect Questions
English offers two paths to gather information: direct and indirect questions. Each has its own place, depending on the situation, your audience, and the sensitivity of the topic.
- Direct questions get straight to the point. They often use auxiliary verbs (e.g., "does," "is," "will") or question words (e.g., "who," "what," "when").
Example: "Does she like swimming?"
Example: "Where is the library?"
However, directness can sometimes feel blunt or impolite, especially in formal settings or when discussing delicate matters. For these situations, indirect questions offer a more diplomatic approach.
- Indirect questions soften the request for information by phrasing it as a polite request, suggestion, or even just a statement. They often avoid auxiliary verbs and question words.
Example: "Would you mind telling me how old you are?" (instead of "How old are you?")
Example: "I wonder why they are late." (instead of "Why are they late?")
- To change an indirect question into a direct one, you generally follow these methods:
1. Reverse the Word Order:
Indirect: Could you let me know where the meeting is scheduled?
Direct: Where is the meeting scheduled?
2. Use Question Words or Auxiliary Verbs:
Indirect: Could you ask him if he's coming to the party?
Direct: Is he coming to the party?
3. Remove Introductory Phrases:
Indirect: Can you tell me if we should start now?
Direct: Should we start now?
4. Change Statements to Questions:
Indirect: Might I ask if you've considered an alternative approach?
Direct: Have you considered an alternative approach?
D. Change these indirect questions into direct ones.
a. Could you tell me where the Market Street is?
Where is the Market Street?
b. I'm longing to know what time the bank opens.
What time does the bank open?
c. Do you have any idea how he's managed to get in shape so quickly?
How has he managed to get in shape so quickly?
d. I'd like to know how much this motorcycle costs these days.
How much does this motorcycle cost these days?
e. Did you notice if he had left the car in the park?
Had he left the car in the park?
f. Have you found out if the train has left?
Has the train left?
g. I was wondering if they speak English well.
Do they speak English well?
h. Would you tell us how we can get to the post office from here?
How can we get to the post office from here?
i. Do you remember if I locked the front door?
Did I lock the front door?
need to give us grammar excrise
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