At 19, when I began studying astrophysics, it did not bother me in the least to be the only woman in the classroom. But while earning my Ph. D. at MIT and then as a post-doctor doing space research, the issue started to bother me. My every achievement—jobs, research papers, awards—was viewed through the lens of gender(性别) politics. So were my failures. Sometimes, when I was pushed into an argument on left brain versus(相对于) right brain, or nature versus nurture(培育) , I would instantly fight fiercely on my behalf and all womankind.
Then one day a few years ago, out of my mouth came a sentence that would eventually become my reply to any and all provocations: I don't talk about that anymore. It took me 10 years to get back the confidence I had at 19 and to realize that I didn't want to deal with gender issues. Why should curing sexism be yet another terrible burden on every female scientist? After all, I don't study sociology or political theory.
Today I research and teach at Barnard, a women's college in New York City. Recently, someone asked me how many of the 45 students in my class were women. You cannot imagine my satisfaction at being able to answer, 45. I know some of my students worry how they will manage their scientific research and a desire for children. And I don't dismiss those concerns. Still, I don't tell them "war" stories. Instead, I have given them this: the visual of their physics professor heavily pregnant doing physics experiments. And in turn they have given me the image of 45 women driven by a love of science. And that's a sight worth talking about.
Why doesn’t the author want to talk about being a woman scientist again?
A. She feels unhappy working in male-dominated fields.
B. She is fed up with the issue of gender discrimination.
C. She is not good at telling stories of the kind.
D. She finds space research more important.
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听力原文: During a 1995 roof collapse, a firefighter named Donald Herbert was left brain damaged. For ten years, he was unable to speak. Then, one Saturday morning, he did something that shocked his family and doctors. He started speaking. "I want to talk to my wife" Donald Herbert said out of the blue. Staff members of the nursing home where he has lived for more than seven years, raced to get Linda Herbert on the telephone. "It was the first of many conversations the 44-year-old patient had with his family and friends during the 14 hours stretch," Herbert's uncle Simon Menka said. "How long have I been away?" Herbert asked. "We told him almost ten years," the uncle said, "he thought it was only three months."
Herbert was fighting a house fire December 29, 1995, when the roof collapsed, burying him underneath. After going without air for several minutes, Herbert was unconscious for two and a half months and has undergone therapy ever since. News accounts in the days and years after his injury, described Herbert as blind and with little if any memory. A video shows him receiving physical therapy but apparently unable to communicate and with little awareness of his surroundings. Menka declined to discuss his nephew's current condition or whether the apparent progress is continuing. "The family was seeking privacy while doctors evaluated Herbert", he said. As word of Herbert's progress spread, visitors streamed into the nursing home. "He's resting comfortably," the uncle told them.
(33)
A. He suffered a nervous breakdown.
B. He was wrongly diagnosed.
C. He was seriously injured.
D. He developed a strange disease.
听力原文: Almost all states in America have a state fair. They last for one, two or three weeks. The Indiana state fair is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States. It is held every summer. It started in 1852. Its goals were to educate, share ideas, and present Indiana's best products. The cost of a single ticket to enter the fair was 20 cents.
During the early 1930's, officials of the fair ruled that the people could attend by paying with something other than money. For example, farmers brought a bag of grain in exchange for a ticket. With the passage of time, the fair has grown and changed a lot, but it is still one of Indiana's most celebrated events. People from all over Indiana and from many other states attend the fair. They can do many things at the fair.
They can watch the judging of the price cows, pigs, and other animals, they can see sheep getting their wool cut, and they can learn how that wool is made into clothing; they can watch cows giving birth. In fact, people can learn about the animals they would never see except at the fair. The fair provides a chance for the farming communities to show its skills and farm products. For example, visitors might see the world's largest apple, or the tallest sunflower plant.
Today, children and adults at the fair can play new computer games, or attend more traditional games of skill. They can watch performances put on by famous entertainers. Experts say such fairs are important, because people need to remember that they're connected to the earth and its products, and they depend on animals for many things.
(30)
A. For people to share ideas and show farm products.
B. For officials to educate the farming community.
C. For farmers to exchange their daily necessities.
D. For farmers to celebrate their harvests.
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.
听力原文: My mother was born in a small town in northern Italy. She was three when her parents immigrated to America in 1926. They lived in Chicago when my grandfather worked making ice cream. Mama thrived in the urban environment. At 16, she graduated first in her high school class, went onto secretarial school, and finally worked as an executive secretary for a railroad company. She was beautiful too. When a local photographer used her pictures in his monthly window display, she felt pleased. Her favorite portrait showed her sitting by Lake Michigan, her hair went blown, her gaze reaching toward the horizon.
My parents were married in 1944. Dad was a quiet and intelligent man. He was 17 when he left Italy. Soon after, a hit-and-run accident left him with a permanent limp. Dad worked hard selling candy to Chicago office workers on their break. He had little formal schooling. His English was self-taught. Yet he eventually built a small successful wholesale candy business, Dad was generous and handsome. Mama was devoted to him. After she married, my mother quit her job and gave herself to her family. In 1950, with three small children, Dad moved the family to a farm 40 miles from Chicago. He worked land and commuted to the city to run his business. Mama said goodbye to her parents and friends, and traded her busy city neighborhood for a more isolated life. But she never complained.
(27)
A. Her parents thrived in the urban environment.
B. Her parents left Chicago to work on a farm.
C. Her parents immigrated to America.
D. Her parents set up an ice-cream store.
听力原文:M: Hello, I have a reservation for tonight.
W: Your name, please.
M: Nelson, Charles Nelson.
W: Ok, Mr. Nelson. That's a room for five and...
M: Excuse me, you mean a room for five pounds? I didn't know the special was so good.
W: No, no, no. According to our records, a room for 5 guests was booked under your name.
M: No, no... hold on. You must have two guests under the name.
W: Ok, let me check this again. Oh, here we are.
M: Yeah?
W: Charles Nelson, a room for one for the 19th...
M: Wait, wait. It was for tonight, not tomorrow night.
W: Em..., I don't think we have any rooms for tonight. There's a conference going on in town and...er, let's see...yeah, no rooms.
M: Oh, come on! You must have something, anything!
W: Well, let... let me check my computer here... Ah!
M: What?
W: There has been a cancellation for this evening. A honeymoon suite is now available.
M: Great, I'll take it.
W: But, I'll have to charge you 150 pounds for the night.
M: What? I should get a discount for the inconvenience!
W: Well, the best I can give you is a 10% discount plus a ticket for a free continent breakfast.
M: Hey, isn't the breakfast free anyway?
W: Well, only on weekends.
M: I want to talk to the manager.
W: Wait, wait, wait...Mr. Nelson, I think I can give you an additional 15% discount...
(23)
A. The hotel clerk had put his reservation under another name.
B. The hotel clerk insisted that he didn’t make any reservation.
C. The hotel clerk tried to take advantage of his inexperience.
D. The hotel clerk couldn’t find his reservation for that night.