Questions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.

The flood of women into the job market boosted economic growth and changed U.S. society in many ways. Many in-home jobs that used to be done __47__ by women—ranging from family shopping to preparing meals to doing __48__ work—still need to be done by someone. Husbands and children now do some of these jobs, a __49__ that has changed the target market for many products. Or a working woman may face a crushing “poverty of time” and look for help elsewhere, creating opportunities for producers of frozen meals, child care centers, dry cleaners, financial services, and the like.

Although there is still a big wage __50__ between men and women, the income working women __51__ gives them new independence and buying power. For example, women now __52__ about half of all cars. Not long ago, many cars dealers __53__ women shoppers by ignoring them or suggesting that they come back with their husbands. Now car companies have realized that women are __54__ customers. It’s interesting that some leading Japanese car dealers were the first to __55__ pay attention to women customers. In Japan, fewer women have jobs or buy cars—the Japanese society is still very much male-oriented. Perhaps it was the __56__ contrast with Japanese society that prompted American firms to pay more attention to women buyers.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答