Today, many women in America hold important positions or are pursuing careers that they could not pursue in the past. But many women are dissatisfied with the current situation. They point out that women are often paid less than men for the same work they do.

The top positions in nearly all fields are still overwhelmingly held by men. In many ways, a woman's life is still dominated by her father or her husband.

Recently women worked to get an amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing their rights. The equal rights amendment, as it was called, was supported by most congressmen and most states. It did not get the support of two-thirds of the states which is necessary for a constitutional amendment. Nevertheless, the role and the rights of American women is an important concern in the U.S. today.

刚才那篇文章如果你没有全部听懂, 没有关系, 等一会儿你还有机会听. 现在 老师先把今天测验的三个问题念一遍给你听.

第一个问题是:

M: How were American women restricted by the society?

第二个问题是:

M: What are some of the things which women are dissatisfied with?

第三个问题是:

M: Are women's rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution?

现在老师再用慢速度把整篇文章念一遍. 请你注意听.

America has been called a democracy since its independence more than 200 years ago.

However, at that time, only men were permitted to vote. Only men could own land and practice most professions. Women could not get a higher education or hold public office.

The woman's place was considered to be the home. Working women were not common.

They usually had poor jobs and little respect.

Through the history of our country, many American women have worked to reduce the restrictions that society placed on them. They have met opposition. Slowly, however, the opportunities for women have increased. Colleges and universities were established for women. Later women were admitted to schools originally established only for men.

In the early part of this century, American women were finally allowed to vote. During and since World War II American women have become a considerable part of the American work force.

Today, many women in America hold important positions or are pursuing careers that they could not pursue in the past. But many women are dissatisfied with the current situation. They point out that women are often paid less than men for the same work they do.

The top positions in nearly all fields are still overwhelmingly held by men. In many ways, a woman's life is still dominated by her father or her husband.

Recently women worked to get an amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing their rights. The equal rights amendment, as it was called, was supported by most congressmen and most states. It did not get the support of two-thirds of the states which is necessary for a constitutional amendment. Nevertheless, the role and the rights of American women is an important concern in the U.S. today.