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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 immutable, 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, raised in some cases to the status of uncompromising dualism on a strongly hierarchical model, 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 divergence of the sexes. Any overlapping or confusion between the roles was seen as a threat to the time-honored 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 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. Above all, for all women, work is invariably connected with the desire for independence.
We did not recognize until recently that______.
选项 A、the role distinction between different sexes is conspicuous
B、the different definitions of sexes bears on the development of culture
C、the biological evolution does little help in recognizing the identity of the sexes
D、the progress of civilization greatly influences the role definitions of sexes
答案D
解析 本题问的是直到最近我们才意识到什么。根据第一段的“But we have realized only recently thatthe identity of each sex is not so easy to pin down，and that definitions evolve in accordance with different types ofculture known to us，that is，scientific discoveries and ideological revolutions．”可知，直到最近我们才意识到，每一种性别的本性是很难说清楚的，并且定义是按照我们所知道的不同文化(即科学发现和思想革命)在发展的。据此可知，D项“文明的进步对男女性别作用的定义有很大影响”正确。
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