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(社区) 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.The 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 civilrights movement.“The only tired I was，was tired of giving in，” said Parks.
【解题导语】 本文属于人物传记。介绍了近一百年来涌现出来的四位杰出的女性以及她们对社会所做出的贡献与影响。
21．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.
A 解析：细节理解题。根据Jane Addams下的第一句(任何一位得到过社会工作者帮助的人都要感谢Jane Addams)可知，Jane Addams以其社会工作而出名。故答案为A。
22．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.
C 解析：细节理解题。根据Sandra Day O’Connor下的“...she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman.”可知，由于O’Connor是女性而未能在法律事务所找到工作。由此可知这是对女性的歧视。因此答案选C。
23．Who made a great contribution to the civilrights movement in the U．S.?
A．Jane Addams.
B．Rachel Carson.
C．Sandra Day O’Connor.
D．Rosa Parks.
D 解析：细节理解题。由题干可以迅速将答案锁定在文章最后一段，根据“The simple act landed Parks in prison...and kicked off the civilrights movement.”所提供的信息可知，Parks为美国的民权运动做出了极大贡献。故选D项。
