48. What does the author say students are likely to do if they know they needn't repay their loans?
- A. They will choose to study subjects without considering their job prospects.
- B. They will be free to pursue their goals without being burdened financially.
- C. They will over-borrow and live beyond their means.
- D. They will be able to enroll in expensive universities.
答案：A
答案句：And, students will feel more comfortable making the irresponsible decision to go tens of thousands of dollars in debt to major in impractical or idealistic subjects if they know their loans will be forgiven.
参考译文：而且，如果学生知道贷款会被免除，他们会更愿意做出不负责任的决定，背负数万美元债务去主修不实用或理想化的学科。
定位线索：题干“if they know they needn't repay their loans”→答案句“if they know their loans will be forgiven”；文中“major in impractical or idealistic subjects”对应选项A“choose to study subjects without considering their job prospects”；文中“irresponsible decision”对应选项A“without considering their job prospects”。
解析：题干问如果学生知道不用还贷会怎么做，答案句指出他们会“major in impractical or idealistic subjects”（主修不实用或理想化的学科），即不考虑就业前景，对应选项A“choose to study subjects without considering their job prospects”。选项B“free to pursue their goals”（自由追求目标）语气过于正面，与原文“irresponsible decision”（不负责任的决定）不符；选项C“over-borrow and live beyond their means”（过度借贷、入不敷出）原文未提及“live beyond their means”，属于过度推断；选项D“enroll in expensive universities”（进入昂贵大学）原文未提及，属于无中生有。