Question 17 is based on the passage you have just heard.

听力原文

        A new study has demonstrated the importance of women’s rights. The researchers behind this study state that many parts of the world have made good economic progress, but women’s rights are often overlooked. Thus, (16) [they wanted to determine if there was a link between protection of women’s rights and public health.] The researchers analyzed databases, which held information from 162 countries for the period 2004 to 2010. Countries were classified according to the respect they gave to women’s economic and social rights. There were three categories. They were high, moderate and poor. Analysis of the data showed that countries with strong women’s rights had better health than those where women’s rights were not as respected. The health indicators studied included disease prevention, reproductive health, death rates and life expectancy. Furthermore, (17) [in countries where women’s rights were most respected, but where access to hospitals and doctors was below average, health outcomes were still better than in countries rated as moderate or poor.] This confirms that even with a lack of resources, if a country has strong women’s rights, the health outcomes are better. Thus, the researchers argue that gender equality is not just a women’s rights issue. It is also a development issue. This is because better health aids economic development. (18) [They note that the value of women’s rights has often been questioned from an economic standpoint. Some have argued that ensuring those rights would limit progress, but this study indicates the opposite.]  

17. What does the passage say about countries lacking in medical resources?（关于医疗资源短缺的国家，文章说了什么？）

解析：D。录音中间部分提到，在妇女权利最受尊重、但住院和就医条件被评为中等偏下的国家，其健康水平也仍然优于那些妇女权利受尊重水平中等或偏下的国家。D项与此内容相符，其中的still have better health对应录音中的health outcomes were still better，women’s rights are respected原词复现，故D项为正确答案。

错项排除：A项的invest more和C项的make efforts to increase women’s access在录音中无依据，故均可排除。录音中提到了重视妇女权利但医疗条件差的国家，但并没有说医疗资源短缺的国家人民会重视妇女权利，医疗资源短缺和重视妇女权利这二者之间没有因果关系，故排除B项。