视听说2(第三版)Unit4_P71Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English social reformer and thefounder of modern nursing. She became famous while serving as a nurse duringthe Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. Early 21st century 1)commentators have asserted that Nightingale’s achievements in the Crimean Warhad been 2) exaggerated by the media to satisfy the public’s need for a hero.But later on her achievements remain widely accepted and she has generally beenwell regarded by historians.

Nightingale was born to a wealthy upper-class family, at a time whenwomen of her class were expected to 3) focus on marriage and child bearing. Her father hadprogressive social views, providing his daughter with a well-rounded educationthat included math, and supported her desire to 4) lead an active life.Nightingale rejected proposals of marriage so as to be free to pursue her calling.In 1860, Nightingale 5) laid the foundation of professional nursing with theestablishment of her nursing school in London. It was the first nursing schoolin the world. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in herhonor, and the 6) annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around theworld on her birthday. She made 7) a series of social reforms including improvinghealth care for all sections of British society; improving health care and 8)advocating for better hunger relief in India; helping to 9) abolish laws thatwere overly harsh to women; and expanding the acceptable forms of femaleparticipation in the workforce. Nightingale’s ability to effect reform restedon her extraordinary skills, her good reputation, and her network of 10) influentialfriends.

Key

(1)  commentators (2)  exaggerated (3)  focus on (4)  lead an active life

(5)  laid the foundation (6)  annual (7)  a series of (8)  advocating

(9)  abolish (10)  influential