In 1967,a 20-year-old student at Syracuse University became the first woman to officially participate in the Boston Marathon.Fifty years later,Kathrine Switzer crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon wearing the same number.
Switzer’s marathon in 1967 became historic because she was the first woman to complete the all-male race as an official participant.She registered as “K.V.
Switzer” to hide her sex.A few miles into the race,an official tried to remove Switzer from the race.“Naturally I turned my head around quickly and looked square into the most unpleasant face I’d ever seen.A huge man with bared teeth was set to pounce(猛扑),and before I could react he grabbed my shoulder,screaming,‘Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers!’”she wrote in her memoir (回忆录).Switzer finished the race in four hours and 20 minutes,but would later be disqualified and officially forced to leave from the Amateur Athletic Union.
Plenty has changed in running since 1967,thanks to Switzer’s efforts.Since 1972,women are welcome in the Boston Marathon and other major races.On Monday,the 70-year-old finished the Boston Marathon only a little slower,in 4∶44∶31.Her number was retired after the race—just the second number that the marathon has retired.Before her start,she was given the honor of firing the gun for the
women’s top runners.
“In 1967,few would have believed that marathon running would someday attract millions of women,become an appealing event in the Olympics and on the streets of major cities,help transform views of women’s physical ability and help redefine their economic roles in traditional cultures,” Switzer wrote.“We’ve come a light year but we still have a long way to go.”
1.What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?
A.Switzer’s Boston Marathon results.
B.Switzer’s being removed from the race.
C.Switzer’s hiding her sex in registration.
D.Switzer’s experience in the Boston Marathon.
2.Why was Switzer treated that way by the Amateur Athletic Union?
A.She lacked proper training in marathon race.
B.They found her quarrelling with the official.
C.She had little experience in the long race.
D.They had discrimination against women.
3.Why was Switzer’s number retired after the race?
A.She performed poorly in the race.
B.Nobody wanted to use the number any more.
C.She was the second retired athlete in marathon.
D.They honored her contributions to women marathon.
4.What’s Switzer’s attitude towards women marathon?
A.Optimistic. B.Disappointed.
C.Doubtful. D.Unclear.
语篇解读:本文是一篇记叙文。凯瑟琳·斯威策是世界上第一位正式参加马拉松的女子选手,象征着女性对自身权利的一种追求。
答案及剖析:
1.D 主旨大意题。文章第二段讲述凯瑟琳突破禁忌,在1967年参加波士顿马拉松时候的经历。故选D项。
2.D 推理判断题。由第二段中的Switzer’s marathon in 1967 became historic because she was the first woman to complete the all-male race as an official participant.可知,当时马拉松项目只允许男性参与,这件事直接体现出当时社会上对女性充分参与体育运动的普遍反对,存在性别歧视。
3.D 推理判断题。根据文章第三段,尤其是Plenty has changed in running since 1967,
thanks to Switzer’s efforts.Since 1972,women are welcome in the Boston Marathon and other major races.可判断,在五年后的1972年,波士顿马拉松赛终于允许女性正式进入比赛,这在一定程度上要归功于凯瑟琳。故为了表达对她的敬仰,在她70岁参加完比赛之后参赛选手不再使用凯瑟琳胸前挂着的号码。
4.A 推理判断题。根据最后一段,尤其最后一个句子 “We’ve come a light year but we still have a long way to go.”体现了凯瑟琳对女性参与社会生活的信心。故选A项。
