At 19, when I began studying astrophysics, it did not bother me in the least to be the only woman in theclassroom. But while earning my Ph.D. at MIT and then as a post-doctor doing space research, the issue started tobother me. My every achievement--jobs, research papers, awards--was viewed through the lens of gender (性 別) politics. So were my failures. Sometimes, when I was pushed into an argument on left brain.versus (相對于)fight 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 toany and all provocations: I don't falk about that anymore. It took me 10 years to get back the confidence I had at 19and to realize that I didn't want to deal with gender issues. Why should curing sexism be yet another terrible burdenon 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 mehow many of the 45 students in my class were women. You cannot imagine my satisfaction at being able to answer:45. I know some 9fmY students worry how they will manage their scientific research and a desire for children. AndI don't dismiss those concerns. Still, I don't tell them "war" stories. Instead, I have given them this: the visual oftheir physics professor heavily pregnant doing physics experiments. And in turn they have given me the image of45 women driven by a love of science. And that's a sight worth talking about.
1、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.
2、From Paragraph 2, we can infer that people would attribute the author's failures to ____
A.the very fact that she is a woman
B.her over-confidence as a female astrophysicist
C.her involvement in gender politics
D.the burden she bears in a male-dominated society
3、What did the author constantly fight against while doing her Ph.D. and post-doctoral research?
A.Lack of confidence in succeeding in space science.
B.Unfair accusations from both inside and outside her circle.
C.People's stereotyped attitude towards female scientists.
D.Widespread misconceptions about nature and nurture.
4、Why does the author feel great satisfaction when talking about her class?
A.Female students no longer have to bother about gender issues.
B.Her students' performance has brought back her confidence.
C.Her female students can do just as well as male students.
D.More female students are pursuing science than before.
5、What does the image the author presents to her students suggest?
A.Women students needn't have the concerns of her generation.
B.Women have more barriers on their way to academic success.
C.Women can balance a career in science and having a family.
D.Women now have fewer problems pursuing a science career.
答案解析：
1-5 BACDC
