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 (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.
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.
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.
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】1. A 2. C 3. D
【解析】
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了对人类发展产生重大影响的四位女性Jane Addams、Rachel Carson、Sandra Day O’Connor以及Rosa Parks的故事，赞扬她们为人类进步所做出的巨大贡献。
【1题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段第一句Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank.可知，任何一个得到社会工作者帮助的人都要感谢Jane Addams。由此可知，正是Jane Addams推动了社会工作的发展，她才因此而出名。故A正确。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段第一句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.可知，1952年，Sandra Day O’Connor在斯坦福大学法学院以全班第三名的成绩毕业，因为是女性，她在律师事务所找不到工作。由此可知，律师事务所拒绝O’Connor主要是因为她是一位女性，也就是对妇女的歧视。故C项正确。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章最后一句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.可知，它持续了一年多，拉开了民权运动的序幕。“我唯一感到疲倦的是，我厌倦了放弃，”Parks说。由此可知，正是因为Rosa Parks的努力，美国的民权运动才得以推进，她对美国的人权运动做出了巨大的贡献。故D项正确。
【点睛】本文属于人物传记类的短文，此类文章通常较为简单，解题方法也较为清晰。可以先看问题，再带着问题仔细阅读短文，理解了全文内容，很容易选出正确答案。在解题时要特别关注题干中的关键词，如小题3题干中提及the civil-rights movement in the U.S(美国的民权运动)，再结合文章最后两句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. 可知，它持续了一年多，拉开了民权运动的序幕。“我唯一感到疲倦的是，我厌倦了放弃，”Parks说。由此可知，正是因为Rosa Parks的努力，美国的民权运动才得以推进，她对美国的人权运动做出了巨大的贡献。故D项正确。
