You probably know who Marie Curie was,but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson.Of the outstanding ladies listed below,who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860—1935)
Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank.Addams helped the poor and worked for peace.She encouraged a sense of community (社区)by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need.In 1931,Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907—1964)
If it weren’t for Rachel Carson,the environmental movement might not exist today.Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930—present)
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School,in 1952,she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman.She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and,in 1981,the first woman to join the U.S.Supreme Court.O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.
Rosa Parks (1913—2005)
On December 1,1955,in Montgomery,Alabama,Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.Her simple act landed Parks in prison.But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott.It lasted for more than a year,and kicked off the civil-rights movement.“The only tired I was,was tired of giving in,”said Parks.
【语篇导读】文章介绍了过去一百年中出现的四位伟大的女性,她们分别在社会工作、环境保护、法律事务、民权运动等方面做出了卓越的贡献。
1.What is Jane Addams noted for in history?
A.Her social work.
B.Her teaching skills.
C.Her efforts to win a prize.
D.Her community background.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句内容可知,Jane Addams在历出名是因为她在社会工作方面做出了伟大的贡献。
2.What was the reason for O’Connor’s being rejected by the law firm?
A.Her lack of proper training in law.
B.Her little work experience in court.
C.The discrimination against women.
D.The poor financial conditions.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段第一句中的“...because she was a woman.”可知,O’Connor不能在律师事务所找到工作是因为当时的社会对女性存在性别歧视。
3.Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the U.S.?
A.Jane Addams.
B.Rachel Carson.
C.Sandra Day O’Connor.
D.Rosa Parks.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据最后一段倒数第二句中的“...and kicked off the civil-rights movement.”可知,对美国的民权运动做出伟大贡献的是Rosa Parks。
4.What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?
A.They are highly educated.
B.They are truly creative.
C.They are pioneers.
D.They are peace-lovers.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。文章主要介绍了过去的一百年中出现的四位伟大女性,她们的共同特点是在某个领域起到了先驱的作用。
