WOMEN IN BRITAIN ARE BETTER OFF TODAY THAN THEY USED TO BE....

Exercise 8

Women in Britain are better off today than they used to be. At the beginning of the 19th

century, women seem to have almost no rights at all. They could not vote, or even sign a

contract. Their marriages were arranged by their parents. They were once kept at home

and if they were allowed to work, they were never given responsible jobs. It is strange to

think that, as far as we know, most women were happy with that situation.

Today the position is quite different. Women now can vote and choose their own

husbands. In 1970, a law was passed to give them an equal share of property in the case

of divorce, and in the same year the Equal Pay Act gave them the right to get equal

payment with men for work of equal value.

Despite these changes, there is no doubt that there are still great differences in status

between men and women. Many employers seem to ignore the Equal Pay Act. It is also

more difficult for a woman to get promotion than a man does.

There is sex distinction in England although it has not been so serious as it was. More and

more women go out to work, earn more money, get high positions in the society, and live

independently. However, there are two great problems to solve. The first problem is

men’s attitude. They always think that women are lower in rank and are the weaker sex.

We do not know exactly how long it will take them to change their mind. And the other

problem which is much more difficult is women’s attitude. They should be ready to

struggle to change their fate.

1. What is men’s attitude?

A. They consider women to be equal to them.

B. They always look up women.

C. They consider women the stronger sex.

D. They consider women the weaker sex.

2. What should women do to eliminate sex distinction?

A. They should suffer with pleasure.

B. They should struggle to change their fate.

C. They should earn more money.

D. All are correct

3. At the beginning of the 19th century, ________.

A. British women were better off than today.

B. Women seemed to have almost no rights at all.

C. British women had the right to vote.

D. British women had the right to choose their husbands.

4. The Equal Pay Act was passed in ________.

A. 1960

B. 1962

C. 1970

D. 1971

5. Which of these following sentences is NOT TRUE?

A. All the employers in Britain obey the Equal Pay Act.

B. In 1970, a law was passed to give British women the right to share property equally in

the case of divorce.

C. The Equal Pay Act gave British women the right to get equal payment with men for

work of equal value.

D. Women cannot get promotion as equal as men.

-The end-