【听英文对话做选择】债务合并

原文：

Ron: Uh, could I borrow a few bucks¹ until payday? I'm a little strapped² for cash.

Nancy: Uh, yeah, I guess, but I'm pinching pennies myself, and you still owe me $20 from last week. And mom and your friend Ron said you borrowed money from them this past week. [Oh, yeah.] How ARE things going anyway?

 

Ron: Well, not very well. To be honest, I'm really in the hole, and I can't seem to make ends meet these days.

 

Nancy: What do you mean? I thought you landed a great job recently, so you must be loaded.

 

Ron: Well, I do have a job, but I've used my credit cards to pay off a lot of things recently, but now, I can't seem to pay the money off.

 

Nancy: Uh, do you have a budget? I mean, how do you keep track of your income and expenses?

 

Ron: Well, when my money runs out, I come to you. Of course. [Great!] No, but I guess I should have some financial plan.

 

Nancy: Well, let me see if I can help you. How much money do you spend on your apartment?

 

Ron: Uh, I pay $890 on rent for the studio apartment downtown . . . not including utilities and cable TV. But the place has an awesome³ view of the city.

 

Nancy: Uh, $890! Why are you paying through the nose for such a small place when you could find a cheaper one somewhere outside of the downtown area?

 

Ron: Yeah, I guess.

 

Nancy: Okay. How much money do you spend on food a month?

 

Ron: Hmmm. I'm not really sure. I think I spend around $600. [$600?!] Well, I go out to eat at least four times a week, so those expenses add up. I just don't enjoy eating alone, and I don't have a knack⁴ for cooking like you do.

 

Nancy: Well, I can understand that, but perhaps you ought to buy some microwaveable meals you could prepare at home.

 

Ron: Well, I guess I could.

 

Nancy: And entertainment?

 

Ron: Well, I spend a few dollars here and there on basketball and movie tickets, a concert or two, and ballroom⁵ dance lessons.

 

Nancy: Uh, exactly how much do you spend on all of these? Just a "few" dollars?

 

Ron: Well, oh . . . about $400 or so.

 

Nancy: Or so? No wonder you're having money problems. You can't just blow your money on things like that! And what about transportation?

 

Ron: Oh, I commute⁶ to work everyday in my new sports car, but I got a great deal, and my monthly payments are only $450. Come outside and take a look. We can go for a spin!

 

Nancy: No, I've heard enough. You've got to curb⁷ your spending, or you'll end up broke. I suggest you get rid of your credit cards, cut back on your entertainment expenses, and sell your car. Take public transportation from now on.

 

Ron: Sell my car?! I can't date without a car. What am I going to say? "Uh, could you meet me downtown at the bus stop at 7:00?" Come on!

 

Nancy: And you need to create a budget for yourself and stick to it, and start with paying off your bills, starting with me. You owe me $50 dollars.

 

Ron: Fifty dollars! Wait, I only borrowed $20 from you last week. How did you come up with $50?

 

Nancy: Financial consulting fees. My advice is at least worth $30!

1. To whom is the man speaking?

A. his friend

B. his sister

C. his mom

2. Which sentence would identify the man's current situation?

A. He has a lot of expenses including student loans.

B. He has a decent⁸ job, but he's looking for a new one.

C. He's in debt and is trying to borrow money.

 

3. How would you describe the man's apartment?

A. a small place with a nice view of the city

B. a spacious⁹ apartment that includes cable TV

C. an apartment downtown with free parking

 

4. Which sentence best describes the man's dining practices?

A. He tries to go out to eat every night.

B. He doesn't know how to cook very well.

C. He prefers to eat alone.

 

5. What does the woman suggest the man do at the end of the conversation?

A. He should be careful when using his credit cards.

B. He ought to get rid of his car to save money.

C. He should stop spending money on entertainment.

 

正确答案：

1. his sister

2. He`s in debt and is trying to borrow money.

3. a small place with a nice view of the city

4. He doesn`t know how to cook very well.

5. He ought to get rid of his car to save money.

 

1 bucks   

n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃

参考例句：

• They cost ten bucks. 这些值十元钱。
• They are hunting for bucks. 他们正在猎雄兔。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 strapped   

adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带

参考例句：

• Make sure that the child is strapped tightly into the buggy. 一定要把孩子牢牢地拴在婴儿车上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soldiers' great coats were strapped on their packs. 战士们的厚大衣扎捆在背包上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.

4 knack   

n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法

参考例句：

• He has a knack of teaching arithmetic.他教算术有诀窍。
• Making omelettes isn't difficult,but there's a knack to it.做煎蛋饼并不难，但有窍门。

5 ballroom   

n.舞厅

参考例句：

• The boss of the ballroom excused them the fee.舞厅老板给他们免费。
• I go ballroom dancing twice a week.我一个星期跳两次交际舞。

6 commute   

vi.乘车上下班；vt.减(刑)；折合；n.上下班交通

参考例句：

• I spend much less time on my commute to work now.我现在工作的往返时间要节省好多。
• Most office workers commute from the suburbs.很多公司的职员都是从郊外来上班的。

7 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

8 decent   

adj.象样的，不错的，体面的，正派的，恰当的

参考例句：

• We want to raise our children to be decent men and women.我们盼望把孩子们培养成优秀人才。
• There isn't even a decent table in this room.这屋里连张像样的桌子也没有。

9 spacious   

adj.广阔的，宽敞的

参考例句：

• Our yard is spacious enough for a swimming pool.我们的院子很宽敞，足够建一座游泳池。
• The room is bright and spacious.这房间很豁亮。