A woman named Emily renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk’s office was asked to state her occupation. She __26__, uncertain how to classify herself.
“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job, or are you just a …”
“__27__ I have a job,” said Emily. “I’m a mother.”
“We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation… ‘housewife’ __28__it,” said the recorder.
One day I found myself in the same __29__. The clerk was obviously a career woman, efficient, confident and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator”or “Town Registrar. ” “What is your occupation?” she asked.
Somehow, the words simply __30__. “I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”
The clerk paused, ballpoint pen __31__ in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the __32__ slowly, then I stared __33__ as my statement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in this field?”
__34__, without any trace of panic in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t), in the lab and in the field (normally I __35__ indoors and out). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities(any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like __36__), but rewards are more of a satisfaction __37__just money.”
There was an increasing __38__ of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and showed me out.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up(受鼓舞) by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants--ages 13, 7, and 3.Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, __39__ a new vocal pattern.
I felt proud! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable(不可缺少的) to mankind than “just another mother.”
Motherhood…What a glorious career! __40__ when there’s a title on the door.
26. A. doubted B. interrupted C. hesitated D. admired
27. A. Above all B. Of course C. In reality D. For example
28. A. covers B. lists C. replaces D. means
29. A. office B. way C. lab D. situation
30. A. mixed up B. faded away C. spread about D. popped out
31. A. frozen B. shaking C. dropped D. flying
32. A. career B. title C. field D. question
33. A. with anger B. in despair C. with wonder D. in curiosity
34. A. Fortunately B. Excitedly C. Obviously D. Coolly
35. A. would have said B. dare say C. must have said D. could say
36. A. them B. it C. one D. others
37. A. other than B. together with C. rather than D. instead of
38. A. note B. sound C. amount D. praise
39. A. accounting for B. getting away with C. testing out D. playing jokes on
40. A. Certainly B. Unexpectedly C. Usually D. Especially