Conversation One
M: Hi, Shelley. Come on in.
W: Uh, yeah, I stopped by to see if you were still looking for a roommate to share your house.
M: Yep. I sure am. [19]Ever since I cut back on my working hours to go to school, I've been really strapped for cash. Hey, let me show you around the place. Uh, here's the living room.
W: Oh. [20]It looks like you could use a new carpet... and those stains?
M: Well. I've had a few problems with some former roommates. I know it needs to be cleaned, but I just don't have the money to do it right now.
W: Oh. And what about the kitchen?
M: Right this way. Look. It's completely furnished with all the latest appliances, except... [21]Well, the refrigerator door is broken... a little bit... and it won't shut all the way. It needs fixing, but don't worry. [21]I've pushed a box against it to keep it shut.
W: Hmm. Great. Well, how about the bathroom? ... No, no. Don't tell me. The toilet is clogged or the sink has a few leaks.
M: No, those work fine. Well, there's another slight problem. The windows. I've put up a piece of cardboard to keep out the rain and snow, and if it gets a little cold, you can always turn up the heat.
W: Hey, [22]I think I've seen enough. I can't believe you've survived under these conditions.
M: So what do you think? You really can't beat a place like this for $450 a month. So it has its problems, but we can fix those.
W: Uh, no, thank you. I think I've seen enough.
答案解析:
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. Why does the man need to share his apartment with a roommate?
[A]解析:对话开始,女士就提出了对话主题:看男士是否还需要人合租。男士急切地说:“要啊!自从为了上学减少了工作时间以来,我的钱就很紧张了。”故A正确。从选项来看,本题问男士的情形。答题关键是男士说的strapped for cash,它与A中的afford the rent构成紧密的相关性。其他选项就没有这种相关的内容。(口语中,cash即money,be strapped即“身无分文的”。)
20. Which of the following statements is true about the man's house?
[A]解析:女士看到房间里的地毯时说:“看来你该换新地毯了……那些污渍是怎么回事?”可见A正确。soiled意为“污染的,脏的”。
21. What has the man done to temporarily fix the refrigerator door?
[C]解析:男士说冰箱门坏了,关不紧。“我用两个箱子顶着它使它合得拢。”C正确。由选项知,本题问他是如何“使它关紧”的。关键词包括cardboard,super glue(超级胶水),box,chair。根据这些关键词,“听到什么选什么”。
22. What will Shelley probably do after she's seen the place?
[D]解析:对话结尾处,女士对该房子已毫无合租兴趣:“我想我已经看够了。真难以相信,你在这样的条件下还能生活!”因此D正确。本题必须根据女士的语气推断。