新编四级听力练习 第286期

Passage Three
Joe is a student at a college in an urban area. During his first two semesters, he did very well and [32]at the beginning of the third semester he was admitted to a special medical program. If he completed the program successfully, he would be granted admission to a good medical school. He would be able to study to become a doctor. Joe's mother and father both have full-time jobs and Joe works part-time in a restaurant to help the family finances.
Several weeks ago, Joe's mother began feeling sharp chest pains. When she went to a doctor, [33]he told her that she would need a heart surgery and would have to give up her job. This would enlarge medical expenses and lose almost half the family's income. Joe's father wants him to drop out of school and go to work full-time to help the family. Joe loves his family very much. But, if he drops out now, he would lose the entire semester's credit and may even lose his place in the premedical program.
[35]He doesn't know what to do. He speaks to his girlfriend Maria who urges him to remain in school since to withdraw now would place his entire future in danger. [34/35]He also speaks to his cousin Carol, who tells him that his first duty is to help his family get through the difficult times.

Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
32. When was Joe admitted to the special medical program?
正确答案：C
解析：短文开头处提到，“在前两个学期他功课学得很好，于是在第三个学期开始的时候，他被招入了一个专门医学课程班。”因此，C正确。
33. Why would Joe's mother give up her job?
正确答案：A
解析：医生建议她做心脏手术，并说她得放弃工作。故A正确。
34. Who advised Joe to give up his studies?
正确答案：C
解析：短文最后说，Joe的表妹Carol说，Joe的首要职责是帮助家人渡过难关，亦即暂时休学。故C正确。Joe的父亲希望他退学，而他的女朋友希望他完成学业。B、D的态度未提及。
35. What is Joe going to do?
正确答案：D
解析：短文结尾部分说，Joe“不知道该怎么做才好”，于是他征求女朋友和表妹的意见，而两个人的意见也不一致。可见，他还没有下定决心，故选D。