Engineering in the U.S. has long been a male-dominated profession. Fifty years ago, it looked like that might change.In 1970, the percentage of women majoring in engineering was less than 1%. In 1979, that number was 9%. Many hoped women would continue to enter the field at the same rate. But that's not what happened. Today, only 21% of engineering majors are women, a number largely unchanged since 2000.I am a historian who, along with my colleagues, surveyed 251 women engineers who graduated from college in the 1970s. These pioneers reflected on the challenges they faced—and had advice for women entering the field today.One survey taker explained, "The greatest challenge for me was continuing to believe in myself, when all the messages I was getting were that I would never be taken seriously or promoted or given raises at the same rate as men, who were clearly less qualified and not as smart as I was."A chemical engineer who worked in manufacturing agreed, "You have to prove yourself just because you are female. And you have to work twice as hard!"A civil engineer said, "We are 'women engineers.' People don't refer to a man as a 'man engineer'—he's an engineer. We are constantly reminded that we don't truly belong." Another civil engineer stated, "On many levels, you're never quite one of the groups."Women also talked about family caregiving responsibilities. A retired vice president from a major chemical company stated, "Young women engineers are on an equal footing until they have children, then they struggle to balance work and family—and compete with men who don't have the same household responsibilities."But over the years things have changed a lot. Young women engineers are more accepted mostly because there are just more of them.Many women engineers hailed the benefits of their chosen career. A program manager in manufacturing stated that engineering is the best degree. A mechanical engineer said, "It will give you the flexibility to do almost anything. It is also satisfying to see the effects of what you have done."51. What does the passage say about the engineering profession in the United States?A) It has seen a change in attitude towards women engineers since 1979.B) It witnessed a significant increase in women engineers in the 1970s.C) It has experienced the gradual weakening of male dominance.D) It boasted the largest number of engineering majors in 2000.52. What does one survey taker say was her greatest challenge?A) Not to feel superior to less qualified male engineers.B) Not to take seriously all the messages she was getting.C) Not to think highly of her qualifications when promoted or given a pay raise.D) Not to lose self-confidence though constantly discouraged or unfairly treated.53. How do women engineers frequently feel according to the two civil engineers?A) Disqualified on many levels.B) Excluded from the group.C) Overworked by their organizations.D) Looked down upon by male colleagues.54. What probably makes young women engineers more accepted nowadays?A) Their success in gaining an equal footing.B) Their ability to balance work and family.C) The change in their responsibilities.D) The increase in their number.55. What can we conclude about many female engineers from the statement of a mechanical engineer?A) They take great pride in their chosen career.B) They have reaped the benefits of being flexible.C) They enjoy doing engineering to the best degree.D) They have proved capable of doing almost anything.
Engineering in the U.S. has long been a male-dominated profession. Fifty years ago, it looked like that might change.
In 1970, the percentage of women majoring in engineering was less than 1%. In 1979, that number was 9%. Many hoped women would continue to enter the field at the same rate. But that's not what happened. Today, only 21% of engineering majors are women, a number largely unchanged since 2000.
I am a historian who, along with my colleagues, surveyed 251 women engineers who graduated from college in the 1970s. These pioneers reflected on the challenges they faced—and had advice for women entering the field today.
One survey taker explained, "The greatest challenge for me was continuing to believe in myself, when all the messages I was getting were that I would never be taken seriously or promoted or given raises at the same rate as men, who were clearly less qualified and not as smart as I was."
A chemical engineer who worked in manufacturing agreed, "You have to prove yourself just because you are female. And you have to work twice as hard!"
A civil engineer said, "We are 'women engineers.' People don't refer to a man as a 'man engineer'—he's an engineer. We are constantly reminded that we don't truly belong." Another civil engineer stated, "On many levels, you're never quite one of the groups."
Women also talked about family caregiving responsibilities. A retired vice president from a major chemical company stated, "Young women engineers are on an equal footing until they have children, then they struggle to balance work and family—and compete with men who don't have the same household responsibilities."
But over the years things have changed a lot. Young women engineers are more accepted mostly because there are just more of them.
Many women engineers hailed the benefits of their chosen career. A program manager in manufacturing stated that engineering is the best degree. A mechanical engineer said, "It will give you the flexibility to do almost anything. It is also satisfying to see the effects of what you have done."
51. What does the passage say about the engineering profession in the United States?
A) It has seen a change in attitude towards women engineers since 1979.
B) It witnessed a significant increase in women engineers in the 1970s.
C) It has experienced the gradual weakening of male dominance.
D) It boasted the largest number of engineering majors in 2000.
52. What does one survey taker say was her greatest challenge?
A) Not to feel superior to less qualified male engineers.
B) Not to take seriously all the messages she was getting.
C) Not to think highly of her qualifications when promoted or given a pay raise.
D) Not to lose self-confidence though constantly discouraged or unfairly treated.
53. How do women engineers frequently feel according to the two civil engineers?
A) Disqualified on many levels.
B) Excluded from the group.
C) Overworked by their organizations.
D) Looked down upon by male colleagues.
54. What probably makes young women engineers more accepted nowadays?
A) Their success in gaining an equal footing.
B) Their ability to balance work and family.
C) The change in their responsibilities.
D) The increase in their number.
55. What can we conclude about many female engineers from the statement of a mechanical engineer?
A) They take great pride in their chosen career.
B) They have reaped the benefits of being flexible.
C) They enjoy doing engineering to the best degree.
D) They have proved capable of doing almost anything.
题目解答
答案
解析
本题主要考查对文章内容的理解和推理能力。解题思路是仔细阅读文章，根据题目要求定位相关信息，然后进行分析和判断。
第51题
本题考查对美国工程行业女性比例变化情况的理解。解题思路是根据文章中不同时间女性工程专业的比例数据来判断选项。
- 文章提到1970年女性工程专业比例为1%，1979年升至9%，但此后停滞不前，至今仅21%。
- A选项文章未提及态度变化，C选项“逐渐削弱”不准确，D选项未提及2000年最多。
- B选项“20世纪70年代女性工程师数量显著增加”符合文章中1970 - 1979年比例的变化情况。
第52题
本题考查对一位受访者所说的最大挑战的理解。解题思路是根据文章中该受访者的表述来判断选项。
- 文章中一位受访者说：“The greatest challenge for me was continuing to believe in myself, when all the messages I was getting were that I would never be taken seriously or promoted or given raises at the same rate as men, who were clearly less qualified and not as smart as I was.”
- A选项未提及“不自信”，B选项未提及“不认真”，C选项未提及“高估资格”，D选项“不因被贬低或不公对待而失去信心”最符合该受访者的表述。
第53题
本题考查对两位土木工程师所说的女性工程师感受的理解。解题思路是根据文章中两位土木工程师的表述来判断选项。
- 文章中两位土木工程师均表示，女性工程师常被提醒“不属于群体”或“不属于任何群体”。
- A选项“不合格”不符合，C选项“超负荷”未提及，D选项“被男性同事轻视”未提及，B选项“被排除在外”最贴合两位土木工程师的表述。
第54题
本题考查对如今年轻女性工程师更被接受原因的理解。解题思路是根据文章中相关表述来判断选项。
- 文章中提到“Young women engineers are more accepted mostly because there are just more of them.”
- A选项“平等地位”未提及，B选项“平衡工作家庭”非核心，C选项“责任变化”未提及，D选项“数量增加”符合文章表述。
第55题
本题考查对一位机械工程师所说的话的理解和推理。解题思路是根据文章中该机械工程师的表述来判断选项。
- 文章中机械工程师说：“It will give you the flexibility to do almost anything. It is also satisfying to see the effects of what you have done.”
- A选项“她们对自己选择的职业感到自豪”符合该机械工程师的表述，B选项“她们享受灵活性的好处”不全面，C选项“她们做到最好”未提及，D选项“她们证明有能力做几乎任何事情”不全面。