A
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 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 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 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.
1. What is Jane Addams noted for in history?
A. Her social work. B. Her lack of proper training in law.
C. Her efforts to win a prize. D. Her community background.
2. What is 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.
3. Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the US?
A. Jane Addams. B. Rachel Carson. C. Sandra Day O’Connor. D. 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】1. A 2. C 3. D 4. C
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了四位伟大又有影响力的女性：Jane Addams，Rachel Carson，Sandra Day O’Connor以及Rosa Parks。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据Jane Addams(1860-1935)部分的“Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. (任何曾经得到社会工作者帮助的人都要感谢Jane Addams) ”可知，Jane Addams在历史上主要以她的社会工作而出名。故选A。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)部分中“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.( 1952年，Sandra Day O’connor在斯坦福大学法学院以全班第三名
成绩毕业，她在一家律师事务所找不到工作，因为她是女性)”可知，Sandra Day O'Connor被律师公司拒绝是因为对妇女的歧视，故选C。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据Rosa Parks (1913-2005)部分中“It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement.(它持续了一年多，并引发了民权运动)”可知，因为在公共汽车上拒绝为白人让座而拉开了民权运动的序幕，Rosa Parks对美国民权运动做出了巨大的贡献，故选D。
【4题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段中“In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.(1931年，亚当斯成为第一位获得诺贝尔和平奖的美国女性)”；第三段中“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.(她在1962年出版的畅销书《寂静的春天》唤起了人们对污染的危险以及化学品对人类和世界湖泊和海洋的有害影响的关注)”；第四段中“She became an Arizona state senator and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U. S. Supreme Court.(她成为亚利桑那州参议员，并在1981年成为第一位加入美国最高法院的女性)”以及第五段中“It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement.(它持续了一年多，并引发了民权运动)”由此可推断四位女性都是历史上的先驱。故选C。
