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  3. We have known for a long time that the organization of any particular society is influenced by the definition of the sexes and t

We have known for a long time that the organization of any particular society is influenced by the definition of the sexes and t

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问题     We have known for a long time that the organization of any particular society is influenced by the definition of the sexes and the distinction drawn between them. But we have realized only recently that the identity of each sex is not so easy to pin down, and that definitions evolve in accordance with different types of culture known to us, that is, scientific discoveries and ideological revolutions. Our nature is not considered as unchangeable, either socially or biologically. As we approach the beginning of the 21st century, the substantial progress made in biology and genetics is radically challenging the roles, responsibilities and specific characteristics attributed to each sex, and yet, scarcely twenty years ago, these were thought to be "beyond dispute".
    We can safely say, with a few minor exceptions, that the definition of the sexes and their respective functions remained unchanged in the West from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1960s. The role distinction lasted throughout this period, appealing for its justification to nature, religion and customs alleged to have existed since the dawn of time. The woman bore children and took care of the home. The man set out to conquer the world and was responsible for the survival of his family, by satisfying their needs in peacetime and going to war when necessary.
    The entire world order rested on the distinction of the sexes. Any overlapping or confusion between the roles was seen as a threat to the time-honored(由来已久的)order of things. It was felt to be against nature, a deviation from the norm.
    Sex roles were determined according to the "place" appropriate to each. Women’s place was, first and foremost, in the home. The outside world, i.e. workshops, factories and business firms, belonged to men. This sex-based division of the world(private and public)gave rise to a strict dichotomy(对立)between the attitudes, which conferred on each its special identity. The woman, sequestered at home, "cared, nurtured and conserved". To do this, she had no need to be daring, ambitious, tough or competitive. The man, on the other hand, competing with his fellow men, was caught up every day in the struggle for survival, and hence developed those characteristics which were thought natural in a man.
    Today, many women go out to work, and their reasons for doing so have changed considerably. Besides the traditional financial incentives, we find ambition and personal fulfillment motivating those in the most favorable circumstances, and the wish to have a social life and to get out of their domestic isolation influencing others. What’s more important, for all women, work is invariably connected with the desire for independence.
Judging from the context, the word "place"(Line 1, Para. 4)most probably means
选项 A、dwelling place
B、working place
C、social class
D、physiological characteristics
答案B
解析 根据题干信号词place以及出处提示Para．4可回文定位到第四段首句Sex roleswere determined according to the“place”appropriate to each(在过去，男女的角色是根据适合各自的“place”界定的)。鉴于词汇推断题的解题思路是根据问题词汇的上文或下文信息，找寻线索，作分析推断，考生应继续向下阅读，并锁定接下来的第二、三句为本题目“题眼”：Women’s place was，first and foremost，in the home．The outside world，i．e．workshops，factories and business firms，belonged to men．(女人的地儿，首先并且最重要的，是在家；而车间、工厂和公司这些外面的世界则属于男人)。不难看出这两句话对问题词“place”作了解释，它们分别讲述了男、女性不同的工作场所，故答案为B。
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