If there is no difference in general intelligence between boys and girls, what can explain girls’ poor performance in science and math?
It has been suggested that girls do not take math courses, not because they are difficult, but for social reasons. Girls do not want to be in open competition with boys because they are afraid to appear less feminine (女性的) and attractive (有魅力的).
However, there are still more high-achieving boys than girls when taking math exams. This difference appears to be worldwide. Biological explanations have been offered for this, but there are other explanations too.
Perhaps the difference which comes out during the teenage years has its roots in much earlier experiences. From their first days in kindergarten, boys are encouraged to work on their own and to complete tasks. Facts show that outstanding mathematicians and scientists have not had teachers who gave answers.
Besides, there can be little doubt that teachers of math and science expect their boy students to do better at these subjects than their girl students. They even appear to encourage the difference between boys and girls. They spend more time with the boy students, giving them more time to answer questions and working harder to get correct answers from them. They are more likely to call on boys for answers and to allow them to take the lead in classroom discussion. They also praise boys more frequently. All of this seems to encourage boys to work harder in science and math and to give them confidence that they are able to succeed.
Such a way of teaching is not likely to encourage girls to take many math and science courses, nor is it likely to support girls who do. When it comes to these subjects it seems certain that school widens the difference between boys and girls.
【小题1】Why does the author raise a question in paragraph 1?| A．To find differences between boys and girls. |
| B．To explain the poor performance of girls. |
| C．To ask readers a question. |
| D．To introduce the topic. |
| A．biological | B．personal | C．social | D．historical |
| A．Their teachers did not offer answers to them. |
| B．They started learning math at an earlier age. |
| C．They showed mathematical abilities in their teenage years. |
| D．Their success resulted from their strong interest in math. |
| A．boys and girls learn in the same way |
| B．boys and girls are equal in general intelligence |
| C．girls are more confident in themselves than before |
| D．girls should take fewer science courses than boys |
