Motherhood is a career to respect
A WOMAN renewing her driver’s license at the CountyClerk’s office was asked to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job, or are you just a...”
“Of course I have a job,” said Emily. “I’m a mother.”
“We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation... ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder.
One day I found myself in the same situation. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, confident and possessed of a high sounding title. “What is your occupation?” she asked.
The words simply popped out. “I’m a Research Associate (研究员) in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”
The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair.
I repeated the title slowly, then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement (声明) was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
“Might I ask,” said the clerk with interest, “just what you do in your field?”
Coolly, without any trace of panic in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and showed me out.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up (激励) by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants – ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6-month-old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt proud! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable (不可缺少的) to mankind than “just another mother.”
Motherhood... What a glorious career! Especially when there’s a title on the door.
1. How did the female clerk feel at first when the writer told her occupation?
A. Cold-hearted. B. Open-minded.
C. Puzzled. D. Interested.
2. How many children does the writer have?
A. 3 B. 4 C. 7 D. 13
3.Why did the woman clerk show more respect to the writer?
A. Because she thought the writer did admirable work.
B. Because the writer cared little about rewards.
C. Because the writer did something that she had little knowledge of.
D. Because she admired the writer's research work.
4. What is the point of the article?
A. To show that how you describe your job affects your feelings toward it.
B. To show that the writer had a grander job than Emily.
C. To argue that motherhood is a worthy career.
D. To show that being a mother is hard and boring work.
While I studied at school, I felt great difficulty in learning my Latin translations. I was always very 36 in using a dictionary, and 37 it most difficult, while to other boys it seemed no 38 .
I formed an alliance(盟友) with a boy in the Sixth Grade. He was very clever and 39 read Latin as easily as English. My friend for his part was almost as 40 troubled by the English essays he had to write for the headmaster as I was 41 these Latin words. We agreed together that he should 42 me my Latin translations and that I should do his essays. The arrangement 43 wonderfully. The headmaster seemed quite 44 with my work, and I had more time to myself in the morning. On the other hand, once a week 45 I had to compose the essays of my friend. For several months no difficulty 46 , but once we were nearly caught out.
One afternoon, the headmaster 47 my friend to discuss one essay with him in a lively spirit. “I was interested in this 48 you make here. I think you might have gone further. Tell me 49 you had in your mind.” The headmaster continued in this 50 for some time to fear of my friend. However, the headmaster, not wishing to 51 an occasion of praise into 52 of fault-finding, finally 53 him go. He came back to me like a man who had had a very narrow 54 and I made up my mind to make every effort to study my 55 .
1.A. quick B. slow C. hard D. good
2.A. made B. got C. found D. left
3.A. trouble B. difference C. labor D. worry
4.A. might B. would C. should D. could
5.A. very B. little C. much D. few
6.A. for B. by C. in D. to
7.A. change B. take C. forgive D. tell
8.A. worked B. tried C. happened D. developed
9.A. angry B. satisfied C. frightened D. sad
10.A. or so B. or else C. as usual D. as far
11.A. became B. seemed C. lay D. appeared
12.A. called B. taught C. arranged D. sent
13.A. aim B. goal C. point D. opinion
14.A. why B. how C. which D. what
15.A. excitement B. way C. meaning D. disappointment
16.A. turn B. leave C. grow D. become
17.A. none B. one C. either D. some
18.A. ordered B. asked C. took D. let
19.A. surprise B. escape C. hope D. chance
20.A. reading B. writing C. translations D. essays
Lectures were _____ so students could be more focused on their study for the finals.
A. called off B. broken off C. blown off D. set off
He _____ on the bench, with his head down and his eyes _____ on the ground.
A. was seated; fixing B. was seated; fixed
C. seated; fixing D. seating; fixed
Every year, millions of people visit the Palace Museum, and many of __ are foreigners.
A. them B. that C. whom D. what
—We really enjoyed ourselves at the party. Thanks again, Mr. and Mrs. White.
—_____. Just drop in whenever you feel like it.
A. With pleasure B. Our great honour
C. Nice having you here D. Nice you are here
