Melinda French Gates is a businesswoman and philanthropist (慈善家). She’s a co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It’s one of the world’s largest private charitable organizations. She’s also an author and an advocate. French Gates told me that communicating with others is the best and the most difficult part of her job. This “on the ground” work is her favorite part of being a philanthropist. But hearing stories of despair is difficult.

Here’s part of our conversation.

Q1: What cause is most important to you, and why?

A1: I really care about lifting up women and girls. When girls and women can step into their full power, society changes for the better for everybody. So I’m passionate about making sure girls and women have their full power. No matter where they live.

Q2: What’s your typical workday like?

A2: If I’m here in Seattle, I’m in the office taking meetings. Sometimes, it’s reviewing strategies. Sometimes, it’s allocating resources. If I’m out of Seattle, it’s often meeting with our partners. I might be trying to push a government leader to put more money or his or her voice behind something. Or I might be talking to families.

Q3: How does your background in computer science help with your job?

A3: Computer science is very logical. I know you have a passion for math. So do I. It’s a logical mindset. When you come across a problem in the world, you try to break it down into steps to understand it. Numbers help us see things in the world. So I have a data focus. If I can’t explain or understand something, I’ll say, “What are the statistics about that? What do we know?”

Q4:What’s your   ▲   for kids who want a career helping people, or working for a cause they care about, but don’t know where to start?

A4: Start today. Start doing something you’re passionate about, whether it’s working at a food bank or volunteering at a library. There’s huge power in kids thinking about their time, their expertise , and where they can give back.

1.What does French Gates like about her job?

A Talking to people.

B Hearing great stories.

C Lifting up women and girls.

D Stepping into her full power.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“French Gates told me that communicating with others is the best and the most difficult part of her job.”可知，弗兰奇·盖茨认为与他人沟通是她工作中最好也是最困难的部分。故选A。

2.What doesn’t French Gates’s job include in Seattle?

A Taking meetings.

B Reviewing strategies.

C Allocating resources.

D Meeting with partners.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据A2部分中内容可知，弗兰奇·盖茨在西雅图的工作内容不包括会见合作对象。故选D。

3.What can we know about French Gates from Q3 and A3?

A She didn’t study computer science.

B She has a passion for math.

C She never meets any problems.

D She isn’t good at solving problems.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据A3部分中的“I know you have a passion for math. So do I.”可知弗兰奇·盖茨热爱数学。故选B。

4.Which can be put in the “ ▲ ”?

A Opinion.

B Decision.

C Advice.

D Promise.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据A4部分可知，这是弗兰奇·盖茨给想做慈善事业的孩子们提供的建议。故选C。