In the past, when people had problems, they went to their families or friends to get advice. Today, it is possible to get advice from radio show, TV programs and telephone hot lines, too. A hot line is a telephone line that offers a direct way of getting in touch with(同„„联络) advisers. Most hot lines are completely anonymous(不具名的). Callers do not have to say their names or telephone numbers. Most hot lines are usually free, too. Callers do not have to pay for the advice or the phone calls-even if the calls are long distance(长途). At some hot lines, the advisers are volunteers(志愿者). Other hot lines pay their advisers for their words. Usually the advisers are professionals(专业人员), with years of education and experience, but sometimes, the advisers have only taken a short class before starting to work on the hot line. All the advisers listen to people and help them settle their problems. 在过去，当人们遇到问题，他们向家人或朋友咨询。今天，也可以从广播节目，电视节目和电话热线得到咨询。热线是一条电话线，提供了一个与顾问联络的直接方式。大多数热线是完全匿名的。呼叫者不必说出他们的名字或电话号码。大多数热线通常也是免费的。呼叫者不必支付咨询费或电话费，即使是长途电话费。有些热线的顾问是志愿者。其他热线给它们的顾问支付报酬。顾问通常是有多年教育和经验的专业人士，但有时候，顾问在开始热线电话工作以前只经过短期培训。所有的顾问倾听来电，帮助他们解决问题。
