随身英语阅读文章303-342.docx

For some it is a celebration offemininity?and beauty.But?feminist campaigners?say that it is nothing other than the?degradation?of women, who are?paraded?like animals in a?cattle market.The Miss World?beauty pageant?is now 60 but remains controversial, as last weekends show in London proved.Inside the venue, about 110 contestants（竞争者，争辩者）?showedoff?their?figures?andboasted?about their talents（天赋，才能）. Outside, dozens of feminist campaigners held?placards?with messages such as Sexism?is pretty ugly and shouted?slogans?against?chauvinism?and what they call theobjectification of women.Feminists and beauty pageant organisers（组织者，发起人） are old enemies. The show was created in the 1950s to promote the Festival of Britain. By the 70s,?Womens Lib?demonstrators tried?to disrupt?the proceedings, alleging that the whole thing was an offence against?womens equality.But some contestants argue that it can actually?empower?women. Laura Coleman, Miss England 2008, said it gives girls confidence and opportunities they may not otherwise have.For some, these opportunities are in Hollywood. About 12?beauty queens?landed roles in James Bond movies and the Oscar-winning star Halle Berry finished sixth in 1986. Organisers are keen to point out that the contestants are not?airheads?but often have degrees and speak several languages.This years winner is 21-year-old Venezuelan Ivian Sarcos, who in her childhood thought about becoming a nun. Despite the protests the show is likely to continue, with plans to hold next years Miss World in China.Quiz 小测验1. What do feminists compare beauty pageants to??A cattle market.2. How old is the Miss World beauty pageant??Sixty.3. How can the contest be positive for women, according to an ex-participant??It can give contestants confidence and opportunities, according to Miss England 2008 Laura Coleman.4. What expression in the article is an impolite phrase for a stupid person??An airhead.5. Is this statement true, false or not given? The winner of this years