单选题
We have known for a long time that the organization of any
particular society is influenced by the definition of the sexes and the
distinction drawn between them. But we have realized only recently that the
identity of each sex is not so easy to pin down, and that definitions evolve in
accordance with different types of culture known to us, that is, scientific
discoveries and ideological revolutions. Our nature is not considered as
unchangeable, either socially or biologically. As we approach the beginning of
the 21 st century, the substantial progress made in biology and genetics is
radically challenging the roles, responsibilities and specific characteristics
attributed to each sex, and yet, scarcely twenty years ago, these were thought
to be "beyond dispute". We can safely say, with a few minor
exceptions, that the definition of the sexes and their respective functions
remained unchanged in the West from the beginning of the 19th century to the
1960s. The role distinction lasted throughout this period, appealing for its
justification to nature, religion and customs alleged to have existed since the
dawn of time. The woman bore children and took care of the home. The man set out
to conquer the world and was responsible for the survival of his family, by
satisfying their needs in peacetime and going to war when necessary.
The entire world order rested on the divergence of the sexes. Any
overlapping or confusion between the roles was seen as a threat to the
time-honored (由来已久的) order of things. It was felt to be against nature, a
deviation from the norm. Sex roles were determined according to
the "{{U}}place{{/U}}" appropriate to each. Women's place was, first and foremost,
in the home. The outside world, i.e. workshops, factories and business firms,
belonged to men. This sex-based division of the world (private and public) gave
rise to a strict dichotomy (对立) between the attitudes, which conferred on each
its special identity. The woman, sequestered at home, "cared, nurtured and
conserved". To do this, she had no need to be daring, ambitious, tough or
competitive. The man, on the other hand, competing with his fellow men, was
caught up every day in the struggle for survival, and hence developed those
characteristics which were thought natural in a man. Today,
many women go out to work, and their reasons for doing so have changed
considerably. Besides the traditional financial incentives, we find ambition and
personal fulfillment motivating those in the most favorable circumstances, and
the wish to have a social life and to get out of their domestic isolation
influencing others. Above all, for all women, work is invariably connected with
the desire for independence.
单选题
According to the text, which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The definition of the sexes varies according to scientific and
ideological development.
B. Human beings' nature may be changed socially and biologically.
C. The functions and responsibilities of the sexes are undoubtedly
unchangeable.
D. The organization of a society is influenced by the definition and
distinction of the sexes.
单选题
Judging from the context, the word "place" (Line 1, Para.4) most
probably means ______.
A. dwelling place
B. working place
C. social class
D. physiological characteristics
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[考点] 词汇推断题
[解析] 根据题干信号词place以及出处提示Para.4可回文定位到第四段首句Sex roles were determined according to the "place" appropriate to each(在过去，男女的角色是根据适合各自的“place”界定的)。鉴于词汇推断题的解题思路是根据问题词汇的上文或下文信息，找寻线索，作分析推断，考生应继续向下阅读，并锁定接下来的第二、三句为本题目“题眼”：Women's place was, first and foremost, in the home. The outside world, i.e. workshops, factories and business firms, belonged to men. (女人的位置，首先并且最重要的，是在家；而车间、工厂和公司这些外面的世界则属于男人)。不难看出这两句话对问题词“place”作了解释，它们分别讲述了男、女f生不同的工作场所，故答案为B。
单选题
Which of the following does NOT belong to the emerging reasons for
women going out to work?
A. personal fulfillment
B. the wish to get freed from domestic chores
C. the desire for independence
D. financial motives
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[考点] 排除性判断题
[解析] 根据题干信号词the emerging reasons for women going out to work可回文定位到尾段首句Today，many women go out to work，and their reasons for doing so have changed considerably．(今天，许多女性会外出工作，她们这样做的原因也已发生很大变化)。但是本句作为本段总述句，并未阐述具体原因，故考生应该继续向下阅读。鉴于判断题的题干往往缺乏高效信号词，考生可将各选项一一在下文定位，作比对判断。
单选题
Which of the following can best summarize the main idea of this text?
A. The traditional definitions of the sexes.
B. The influence of the definition of the sexes on social
organization.
C. The evolution of the definition of the sexes.
D. The improvement of women's social status.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[考点] 篇章主旨题
[解析] 篇章主旨题的解题思路之一是“将各段首句作逻辑比对”。
首段首句：We have known for a long time that the organization of any particular society is influenced by the definition of the sexes and the distinction drawn between them(长期以来，我们都知道任何特定社会的组织都会受到性别界定与区分的影响)；
第二段首句：We can safely say, with a few minor exceptions, that the definition of the sexes and their respective functions remained unchanged in the West from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1960s(除一些小的例外，我们可以肯定地说，关于男女性别的定义和他们各自的社会作用，从19世纪到20世纪60年代一直没有改变)；
第三段首句：The entire world order rested on the distinction of the sexes(整个世界秩序完全取决于性别的区分)；
第四段首句：Sex roles were detemined according to the "place" appropriate to each. (在过去，男女的角色是根据适合各自的“位置”界定的)；
尾段首句：Today, many women go out to work, and their reasons for doing so have changed considerably(今天，许多女性开始外出工作，其原因相应地也发生很大改变)。
纵观各段首句，经比对，考生会发现the definition of the sexes(首段首句)、the definition of the sexes(第二段首句)、the distinction of the sexes(第三段首句)、Sex roles(第四段首句)和many women go out to work(本质上属于“女性角色的变化”，尾段首句)是“复现词”，即本文的“主旨词”，正确项必须包含。
再根据首段首句的时间状语for a long time、第二段首句的时间状语from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1960s、第三段首句的动词过去时态rested on、第四段首句的动词过去时态were，以及尾段首句的时间状语Today和动词have changed可知，本文阐述的是“性别定义”在不同时期的“演变”，故C项是正确答案。