For many years, women could only be seen on the seat behind the men operating the two－wheeled motorcycle. Now more and more women are taking the front seat. More than twenty million people in the United States ride motorcycles.

Since 1998 the number of female bikers has risen sharply. Lady Sport Riders began in 1999 in Washington. The women formed the organization to share their love of motorcycle riding. But later it wanted to be more than just an organization for women togather and ride motorcycles, so it started to organize events that help national health organizations and women's shelters. It also permits women to share a strong sisterhood, and gives financial awards to poor students. Like other motorcycle clubs, the members of Lady Sport Riders also help their community. 

Different from male riders, female riders ride for more than fun. This sport gives women a sense of freedom and control. Female riders have helped change motorcycle culture. More than five years ago manufacturers began making equipment especially for women. Some bikes now have smaller, softer seats and controls that are easier to reach. Modern clothes for riding now look good and still provide protection. In the past, women rode motorcycles that travelled at a moderate speed. Now theirs are as powerful as the ones men ride. Safety is very important when riding because the risk of injury is high. So the women wear protective clothing and equipment at all times, especially for the head.

Lady Sport Riders believes women have earned their place in the sport of motorcycle riding. When speaking of male motorcyclists, the members of the club say, “They Made the Game. We Came to Play！”

1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A. Motorcycle riding used to be considered a male sport.

B. The number of female motorcyclists is now larger than that of male riders.

C. Female motorcyclists are more skilled at riding than male riders.

D. More and more women have an adventurous spirit.

2. In the beginning, Lady Sport Riders was organized to ________.

A. allow women to take up motorcycling

B. offer help to national health organizations

C. share their great interest in the sport of motorcycling

D. supply financial help to poor students

3. What do men motorcyclists mainly expect to get from motorcycling?

A. Strength and power.

B. A sense of freedom.

C. Money and fame.

D. Pleasure from this sport.

4. Compared with the past, the present equipment makes riding more ________ for women.

A. difficult  B. pleasant

C. risky  D. expensive

5. What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To talk about the development of motorcycle riding.

B. To talk about the characteristics of the sport of motorcycling.

C. To introduce a female motorcycle club to readers.

D. To talk about the role women have played in the sport of motorcycling.

In our culture, the sources of what we call a sense of “mastery” — feeling important and worthwhile — and the sources of what we call a sense of “pleasure”— finding life enjoyable — are not always the same．Women often are told “You can’t have it all.” Sometimes what the speaker really is saying is: “You choose a career, so you can’t expect to have closer relationships or a happy family life.” or “You have a wonderful husband and children — what’s all this about wanting a career?” But women need to understand and develop both aspects of well-being, if they are to feel good about themselves.

Our study shows that, for women, well-being has two aspects．One is mastery, which includes self-respect, a sense of control over your life, and low levels of anxiety and depression．Mastery is closely related to the “doing” side of life, to work and activity．Pleasure is the other aspect, and it is made up of happiness, satisfaction and optimism．It is tied more closely to the “feeling” side of life．The two are independent of each other．A woman could be high in mastery and low in pleasure, and vice versa（反之亦然）．For example, a woman who has a good job, but whose mother has just died, might be feeling very good about herself and in control of her work life, but the pleasure side could be damaged for a time.

The concepts of mastery and pleasure can help us identify the sources of well-being for women, and correct past mistakes．In the past, women were encouraged to look only at the feeling side of life as the source of all well-being．But we know that both mastery and pleasure are important．And mastery seems to be achieved largely through work．In our study, all the groups of employed women were valued significantly higher in mastery than women who were not employed.

A woman’s well-being is developed when she takes on multiple roles．At least by middle adulthood, the women who were involved in a combination of roles — marriages, motherhood, and employment — were the highest in well-being, in spite of warnings about stress and strain.

1.It can be inferred from the first paragraph that ________.

A．for women, a sense of “mastery” is more important than a sense of “pleasure”

B．for women, a sense of “pleasure” is more important than a sense of “mastery”

C．women can’t have a sense of “mastery” and a sense of “pleasure” at the same time

D．a sense of “mastery” and a sense of “pleasure” are both necessary to women

2.The author’s attitude towards women having a career is________.

A．negative                             B．positive        

C．indifferent                          D．realistic

3.One can conclude from the passage that if a woman takes on several social roles, ________.

A．it will be easier for her to overcome stress and strain

B．she will be more successful in her career

C．her chances of getting promoted will be greater

D．her life will be richer and more meaningful

4.Which of the following can be considered as a source of “pleasure” for women?

A．Family life                          B．Multiple roles in society

C．Regular employment   D．Freedom from anxiety

Never in the history of Sierra Leone’s elections have women so actively engaged in politics or competed for parliamentary seats. In the past, women did the dancing and cooking for elections campaigning. In the May 14th elections, we saw over 168 women candidates competitive for President, Vice President and Parliamentary seats.

One would think that about 5% of these women would have emerged as winners. But it was not so, because of our cultural perception of women. We need to change our culture. Women could be active politicians. The Christians in their own way encouraged women to be preachers(传教士) but the Muslim leaders say women should not head for officiating(主持) prayers.

The same happens in certain parts of the country where women are not part of decision taken in male secret societies. This prevents them from achieving some of their goals. A senior head in one of the ministries told me that she was getting problems with some of her staff members especially the male staff. Most women that come from the Northern part of country experience such problems. Some men are saying that a woman cannot be their leader.

Some women are also prejudiced against their women folks. In the last elections, most woman did not support their colleagues. In some parts of the country, because they are not members of secret societies they were not allowed to contest for chieftaincies (酋长或首领的位置). However, Sierra Leones not withstanding the cultural prejudice against women has witnessed women occupying high public offices. They have been appointed to head certain areas.

Sierra Leone is moving from its past culture. We need a change in our culture. Women all over the world are recognized one way or the other as they are now involved in the use of technology. We now see women as air pilots, and they even attempt to go to travel in space.

9.In the past, women in Sierra Leone .       .

A.took active part in politics                     B.contested for parliamentary seats

C.danced and cooked for the election campaigning  D.shared the equal rights with men

10.About 5% of the women engaged in election would have succeeded if .       .

A.there were less prejudice against women          B.less Muslim leaders had objected

C.more women had been engaged in the election     D.more preachers had supported them

11.The author concludes that the women candidates can’t win the competitive vote because .      

A.women is more suitable for the dancing and cooking job

B.women candidates can’t get the support of their folks

C.women prejudice still exists in today’s society

D.women are not capable enough to be a chieftain

12.The main idea of the passage is .

A.the prejudice against women in various fields

B.women in Sierra Leone, striving for their political rights

C.women in Sierra Leone, challenge for men’s status

D.women in Sierra Leone, being involved in politics

根据下列句子所给汉语注释，在句子右边的横线上写出空缺处各单词的正确形式。

1. Going ____________ (国外) means going to work or live in a foreign country.

2. He went by, _______________  (假装) not to see us.

3. You  must have __________(忘记) to take your  English textbook.

4. There are many ______________(旅客)who are waiting for the train at the station.

5. John has three sisters. Mary is the ___________ (聪明) of the three.

6.The eleventh month of the year is _______________ (十一月)

7. The sidewalk was so __________(狭窄的) that we had to walk in single file.

8. In the past  women had to make a __________(选择) between a career and marriage.

9. China developed close relationship with many _______(亚洲) countries centuries ago.

10. Dry wood burns _____________ (容易）.

In the past, women were ______ and they often couldn’t get a good job.