Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821, and moved to New York City when she was ten years old. One day she decided that she wanted to become a doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of the nineteenth century. After writing many letters asking for admission to medical schools, she was finally accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. She was so determined that she taught school and gave music lessons to get money for the cost of schooling.

In 1849, after graduation from medical school, she decided to further her education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon (外科医师), but a serious eye problem forced her to give up the idea.

Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857 Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along with another woman doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children. Besides being the first woman physician and founding her own hospital, she also set up the first medical school for women.

1. Why couldn’t Elizabeth Blackwell realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?

A. It was difficult for her to start a practice in the United States.

B. A serious eye problem stopped her.

C. She decided to further her education in Paris.

D. She couldn’t get admitted to medical school.

2. What main obstacle (障碍) almost destroyed Elizabeth’s chances for becoming a doctor?

A. She couldn’t set up her hospital.

B. She couldn’t graduate from medical school.

C. She wrote too many letters.

D. She was a woman.

3 How many years passed between her graduation from medical school and the opening of her hospital?

A. Thirty-six years B. Nineteen years

C. Ten years D. Eight years

4. According to the passage, all of the following are “firsts” in the life of Elizabeth Blackwell, except that she ______.

A. set up the first medical school for women

B. and several other women founded the first hospital for women and children

C. was the first woman doctor

D. became the first woman physician

5. Elizabeth Blackwell spent most of her life in _______.

A. New York City B. the United States C. Paris D. England