Passage One
Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so, but selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.
Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic(酗酒的)mothers.
These images have helped define the way all women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simple to be herself.
It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have done in-depth features on regular African-American women’ little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.
Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady.Many African-American blogs have written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House—mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone—an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise(沉着), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.
Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?
由文章第2句可知， 作者尤其对Michelle Obama能为身为非裔美国妇女的自己做什么而感兴趣(but for me as an African-American woman)， 而接下来的两句解释了作者之所以这么感兴趣的原因： Michelle Obama将会让人们第一次有机会靠近和接触他们极少见到的非裔美国女性， 也就是她将向世界展现出非裔美国妇女的一种新形象， 故答案为C。
What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?
根据题干中的关键词stereotype of African-American women， 可定位在第二段第二、 三句。 这两句提到人们普遍认为大多数黑人女性都是暴躁脾气的单身妈妈， 吸引不住男人。 在人们的想象中， 黑人女性给人留下的刻板印象往往是： 受人歧视， 性交过度， 通常被未婚的酒鬼老妈养大。 选项B的意思与之接近， 故选B。
What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?
根据文章末段第二句， “许多非洲裔美国人的博客里都曾写到对米歇尔的期待， 写到她带进白宫的将是对整个世界的宣言， 宣告黑人女性同样可以支持老公， 同样可以肩负一个黑人家庭的重任。 ” 由此可以看出许多美国黑人都期望她能向世人展示作为优秀的妻子和母亲的黑人女性的形象， 故选D选项。
What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?
根据最后一句But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise, confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long， 即“对于像我一样的非洲裔美国人， 即便能够学到她的一丝沉着， 一丝自信和一丝聪慧， 那都将会很大程度上改变长久以来黑人女性给人的印象”， 由此可知米歇尔是不会令美国黑人失望的。 故选择B。
What do many African-American women hope Michelle Obama will do?
本文第四段末句For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all， 即“米歇尔代表着美国黑人女性的形象”。 最后一段也提到“对于像我一样的非洲裔美国人， 即便能够学到她的一丝沉着， 一丝自信和一丝聪慧， 那都将会很大程度上改变长久以来黑人女性给人的印象。 ”由此可知米歇尔是美国黑人妇女学习的榜样， 广大美国黑人女性如果都能向她学习， 就一定会改变公众心中的形象。 A符合题意。