2006年考研英语预测试题一及答案精析

In this century alone, a number of famous females have made their artistic marks. In the literary world, women such as Sylvia Plath and Colette composed celebrated works, establishing themselves as creative writers to be reckoned with. Colette, a prolific French novelist, tackled weighty themes such as the woman’s struggle for independence. Her catalog of works includes celebrated novels such as Cheri and The Pure and the Impure. Plath, renowned for her suicide as much as for her writing, wrote The Bell Jar as well as a wealth of poetry.

Within the realm of fashion, influential designers such as Coco Chanel changed the face of female dressing. The Chanel name has become synonymous with high style. Coco invented the little black dress, perfected a trademark scent—Chanel No. 5—and became famous for her tweed suits and quilted handbags.

Hollywood starlets such as Katharine Hepburn transformed the film world. She was known for her portrayal of strong, spirited females in her films, clearly embodying what it means to be an independent woman. As Hepburn once said, “I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex. ”

The music industry has also seen its share of barrier-breaking female stars. Women such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald endure as revered names within the jazz world. Similarly, Joan Baez took the folk music genre by storm. She was one of the most outspoken performers during the social turmoil of the 1960s, establishing herself not only as an acclaimed singer/songwriter but also as an activist for civil rights and nonviolence.

Undeniably, women have contributed to our culture in immeasurable ways. From the silver screen to the record-store shelves, the most talented stars exhibit a wealth of creativity, a fan瞱inning charisma and a unique dedication to their respective crafts—and many of them also happen to be female.