【听英文对话做选择】癌症晚期后

I once had a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends. However, in spite of the dire¹ prognosis, he was initially² determined³ to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life. I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible avenue for hope of preserving your life.

As the months progressed and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him. He had also been a jovial⁴ person with an upbeat personality, but rather (than) give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort his faith in God and humanity. His conversations focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke⁵ of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his deceased ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him.

 

During the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly⁶ cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice came to the home to help regulate his medication and provide any other needed support. He didn't complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him, realizing they were the benefactors⁷ of something more.

 

Indeed, one might ponder why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others. You often can't learn these important attributes in the lap of luxury, and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the terminally ill can give those left behind.

 

1. Which word best describes the man's initial reaction right after he found out that he had been diagnosed with cancer?

A. shock

B. anger

C. self-pity

2. What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?

A. He underwent immediate⁸ surgery.

B. He retired⁹ from his job.

C. He researched cancer treatments.

 

3. After several months with the disease, what was the man's main source of consolation¹⁰?

A. his family and friends

B. his belief in God

C. his doctors' encouragement

 

4. Who was mainly responsible for checking on and adjusting the man's medications in the home?

A. relatives

B. his wife

C. a hospice

 

5. According to the story, what can we learn from such difficult and emotional experiences?

A. All people will face death, and thus, we must prepare for it spiritually.

B. Our characters can be strengthened by such adversity.

C. Families provide the best support system during such a crisis.

 

正确答案：

1. shock

2. He researched cancer treatments.

3. his belief in God

4. a hospice

5. Our charcters can be strengthened by such adversity.

 

 

1 dire   

adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的

参考例句：

• There were dire warnings about the dangers of watching too much TV.曾经有人就看电视太多的危害性提出严重警告。
• We were indeed in dire straits.But we pulled through.那时我们的困难真是大极了，但是我们渡过了困难。

2 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 jovial   

adj.快乐的，好交际的

参考例句：

• He seemed jovial,but his eyes avoided ours.他显得很高兴，但他的眼光却避开了我们的眼光。
• Grandma was plump and jovial.祖母身材圆胖，整天乐呵呵的。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

7 benefactors   

n.捐助者，施主( benefactor的名词复数 )；恩人

参考例句：

• I rate him among my benefactors. 我认为他是我的一个恩人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We showed high respect to benefactors. 我们对捐助者表达了崇高的敬意。 来自辞典例句

8 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

9 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

10 consolation   

n.安慰，慰问

参考例句：

• The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
• This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。