Question

    If there is no difference in general intelligence between boys and girls, what can explain girls’ poor performance in science and mathematics?

It seems to be that their treatment at school is a direct cause. Mathematics and science are seen as subjects mainly for boys, and therefore, as girls become teenagers, they are less likely to take them. Interestingly, both boys and girls often regard the subjects for boys as more difficult. Yet it has been suggested that girls do not take mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Girls do not want to be in open competition with boys because they are afraid to appear less feminine and attractive.

However, if we examine the performance of boys and girls who have taken mathematics courses, there are still more high-achieving boys than there are girls. This difference appears to be world-wide. Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations, too.

Perhaps the difference which comes out during the teenage years has its roots in much earlier experiences. From their first days in kindergarten, boys are encouraged to work on their own and to complete tasks. Facts show that outstanding mathematicians and scientists have not had teachers who supply answers.

Besides, there can be little doubt that teachers of mathematics and science expect their boy students to do better at these subjects than their girl students. They even appear to encourage the difference between boys and girls. They spend more time with the boy students, giving them more time to answer questions and working harder to get correct answers from them. They are more likely to call in boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion. They also praise boys more frequently. All of this seems to encourage boys to work harder in science and mathematics and to give them confidence that they are able to succeed.

Such a way of teaching is not likely to encourage girls to take many mathematics and science courses, nor is it likely to support girls who do. When it comes to these subjects it seems certain that school widens the difference between boys and girls.

1.Girls are likely to think that _____.

A.science courses are for both boys and girls

B.science courses make them more popular

C.science courses make them successful

D.science courses are difficult for them

2.The text mainly discuss_____ reasons for the difference between boys and girls in scientific achievements.

A.biological B.historical

C.social D.personal

3.What are boys usually encouraged to do at school? _____

A.To get help with their homework. B.To play the leading role in class.

C.To work with girl students in class. D.To learn to take care of others.

4.The author would probably agree that ______.

A.boys and girls learn in the same way

B.boys and girls are equal in general intelligence

C.girls are more confident in themselves than before

D.girls should take fewer science courses than boys

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.B

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。本文主要介绍了女生在数学和科学方面表现不佳的社会原因。女生比男生更不愿上数学和科学课的原因是女生害怕和男生公开竞争显得自己不那么女性化和有吸引力。然而女生在数学和科学方面表现差的直接原因是在学校的差别待遇。在学校里数学和科学老师对男生的期望更高，鼓励更多。

1.推理判断题。根据文章第二段中“Mathematics and science are seen as subjects mainly for boys...”和“Interestingly, both boys and girls often regard the subjects for boys as more difficult.”可知数学和科学被看作是男生的科目，男生和女生都认为男生的科目更难。由此可推理出女生认为科学课程对于自己来说难。故选D项。

2.主旨大意题。文中第三段虽提到了“biological reason” ,但作者又提到“Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations, too.”，说明biological reason并不是作者要强调的。纵观全文，尤其是第二段Yet it has been suggested that girls do not take mathematics courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons.第四段说明学前教育所造成的影响，第五段说明数学和科学老师对男女生的区别对待，作者主要探讨的是学校教育，所以应属于social reasons。故选C项。

3.细节理解题。由第五段中“They are more likely to call in boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion.”可知数学和科学老师经常让男生回答问题及让男生在课堂讨论中起带头作用。故选B项。

4.推理判断题。由文章第一句“If there is no difference in general intelligence between boys and girls, what can explain girls’poor performance in science and mathematics?”可知作者承认男女生在一般智力方面是一样的，故选B项。