Maria Mitchell (1818 -1889) ,the first woman astronomer (天文学家) in the United States, was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her parents valued education and insisted on giving her the same quality of education that boys received.
Her father, William Mitchell, was an astronomer and teacher himself. When he built his own school, Maria became a student and also a teaching assistant to him. At home, Maria' s father taught her to watch the stars and other natural objects in space using his personal telescope (望远镜).
Later she went to work at the library of the Nantucket Atheneum. Over the next twenty years, she further developed her interest in reading as many books as she could. She spent her nights watching the sky closely with her father.
On October l,1847,Maria discovered a comet (彗星) by merely using a two-inch telescope. Some years before, King Frederick VI of Denmark had set up prizes to each discoverer of a "telescopic comet". The prize was to be given to the "first discoverer" of each such comet because comets were often discovered by more than one person.
There was once a question of who should be the winner. As they had discovered the same comet two days later, but had reported story goes, Francesco de Vico it to the European official organization first. However, after some discussion this was settled in Mitchell's favor. She won the prize in 1848 and became a big name the world over. The comet was named "Miss Mitchell's Comet".
What can be learnt about Maria's parents according to the text?
They came from low-income families.
They gave Maria equal chance for education.
They were both astronomers.
They were both teachers.
事实细节题。由第一段第二句可知， 玛丽亚的父母非常重视教育问题，并且坚持为她 提供与男孩同等质量的教育。故B正确。
Who played the most important role in Maria's great achievement?
King Frederick VI.
Francesco de Vico.
Her father.
Her mother.
推理判断题。由第二段可知，玛丽亚的父亲既是一名天文学家，也是一名教师。玛丽亚既是父亲的学生也是父亲的助教，并且在家的时候父亲用自己的望远镜教她观察天体以及其他自然物体。由此推断出，玛丽亚取得巨大的成就，其父亲起了非常重要的作用。故C正确。
What problem did Maria meet with in winning the prize?
She named the comet on her own.
She did not use the required telescope.
She did not report her discovery in time.
She discovered the comet with her father.
推理判断题。由最后一段第二句可 知，弗兰西斯科·德·维科在两天后发现了同样的一颗彗星，但是他第一个将这颗彗星报告给了欧洲的官方机构。由此推断出，玛丽亚没能及时报告她的发现。故C正确。
When did Francesco de Vico discover the comet?
In 1818.
In 1889.
In 1848.
In 1847.
推理判断题。由第四段第一句可知，玛丽亚在1847年10月1日发现了这颗彗星。由第五段第二句可知，弗兰西斯科·德·维科在两天后也发现了这颗彗星。由此推断出，弗兰西斯 科·德·维科也是在1847年发现这颗彗星的。故D正确。