A Healthy Excuse
Mother: Christine, it’s time to get up. You don’t’ want to be late for school. Chris: I don’t feel well, Mom. Mother: Oh, what’s wrong?
Chris: I don’t know … I’m just a little under the weather, that’s all.
Mother: Do you have a fever? Come here, let me feel your head…you don’tseem to have a fever; maybe I should get the thermometer…
Chris: It’s mostly in my stomach.
Mother: Well, what exactly is wrong? Are you nauseous; do you have pains;do you have heartburn? Chris: no, not exactly. My stomach just feels funny.
Mother: Was it something you ate? You didn’t throw up, did you? Chris: No. Mother: What did you and your friends eat at the mall last night? Chris: The usual junk. You know, burgers and fries.
Mother: I hope you weren’t drinking with your friends last night. You knowwhat will happen if I find out that you were up to that again.
Chris: Mom, I promised you I wouldn’t do that.
Mother: I should hope not. I’m sure you know how many young people diebehind the wheel every year because of alcohol. Drinking and driving do no mix. Chris: Yes, mother…
Mother: You have to be very careful. There are a lot of kids getting intotrouble just to be part of the “in” crowd. You shouldn’t have to do bad things just to be popular.
Chris: Mom, please give it a rest. I don’t fell will, remember?
Mother: Okay, now can you tell me what else hurts besides your stomach? Isyour throat sore? Chris: A little.
Mother: Ooh, it could be that nasty flu that’s going around. Three people inmy office were out with it last week. Open your mouth; let me take a look. Chris: Aahh…
Mother: Well, I can’t see any inflammation and your glands look normal. Chris: But it hurts.
Mother: You certainly look fine. But then again, I’m not a doctor. Maybe weshould give Dr. Lewis a call. Maybe he can see us this afternoon.
Chris: No, it’s probably just a 24-hour flu. If I stay home and rest today, I’msure I’ll be fine tomorrow.
Mother: No, Christine, I’m a little concerned. I don’t know how to treat this.Your temperature seems normal; your throat looks fine and your color is good. But, something is wrong. I would feel better if we called thedoctor. Chris: But it’s just my stomach!Mother: Is it diarrhea? Do you have cramps? Chris: Yes.Mother: Well, which one?Chris: Uh, cramps I guess.
Mother: You guess? What’s going on here, Christine?Chris: I told you, I don’t feel—(TELEPHONE RINGS)
Mother: Hang on a minute. Hello? Yes? Oh, hello dear. What’s that? Oh, ohyes; I’ll be sure to tell her.
Good-bye.Chris: Who was that?
Mother: That was Kathy.Chris: What did she want?
Mother: She called to wish you good luck today.Chris: Good luck?
Mother: Uh-huh. Your big algebra test—that you didn’t study for last night—is today.Chris: I, I, well…
Mother: Sounds to me like your mysterious illness is a case of algebraitis,and I’ve got just the cure. You get dressed right now and march off to school, young lady.Chris: But, I, I— Mother: And we’ll talk about this when you get home.
MBA英语口语与听力A Healthy Excuse



