① Engineering in the U.S. has long been a male-dominated profession. Fifty years ago, it looked like that might change.
② 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.
③ 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.
④ 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.”
⑤ 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!”
⑥ 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.”
⑦ 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.”
⑧ But over the years things have changed a lot. Young women engineers are more accepted mostly because there are just more of them.
⑨Many 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.”
1. 1. What does the passage say about the engineering profession in the United States?（细节理解）
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.
2. 2. What does one survey taker say was her greatest challenge?（细节理解）
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.
3. 3. How do women engineers frequently feel according to the two civil engineers?（细节理解）
A Disqualified on many levels.
B Excluded from the group.
C Overworked by their organizations.
D Looked down upon by male colleagues.
4. 4. What probably makes young women engineers more accepted nowadays?（细节理解）
A Their success in gaining an equal footing.
B The change in their responsibilities.
C Their ability to balance work and family.
D The increase in their number.
