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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.
Which of the following can best summarize the main idea of this text?
选项 A、The traditional definitions of the sexes.
B、The influence of the definition of the sexes on social organization.
C、The evolution of the definition of the sexes.
D、The improvement of women’s social status.
答案C
解析 篇章主旨题的解题思路之一是“将各段首句作逻辑比对”。首段首句：We have known for a long time that the organization of any particular society isinfluenced by the definition of the sexes and the distinction drawn between them(长期以来，我们都知道任何特定社会的组织都会受到性别界定与区分的影响)；第二段首句：We can safely say，with a few minor exceptions，that the definition of thesexes and their respective functions remained unchanged in the West from the beginning of the19th century to the 1960s(除一些小的例外，我们可以肯定地说，关于男女性别的定义和他们各自的社会作用，从19世纪到20世纪60年代一直没有改变)；第三段首句：The entire world order rested on the distinction of the sexes(整个世界秩序完全取决于性别的区分)；第四段首句：Sex roles were determined according to the“place”appropriate to each．(在过去，男女的角色是根据适合各自的“地儿”界定的)；尾段首句：Today，many women go out to work，and their reasons for doing so have changed considerably(今天，许多女性开始外出工作，其原因相应地也发生很大改变)。纵观各段首句，经比对，考生会发现the definition of the sexes(首段首句)、thedefinition of the sexes(第二段首句)、the distinction of the sexes(第三段首句)、Sexroles(第四段首句)和many women go out to work(本质上属于“女性角色的变化”，尾段首句)是“复现词”，即本文的“主旨词”，正确项必须包含。再根据首段首句的时间状语for a long time、第二段首句的时间状语from the beginningof the 19th century to the 1960s、第三段首句的动词过去时态rested on、第四段首句的动词过去时态were，以及尾段首句的时间状语Today和动词have changed可知，本文阐述的是“性别定义”在不同时期的“演变”，故C项是正确答案。
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