OG详解-OG6 阅读 Q23

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Mary Engle Pennington and Stephanie Kwolek. In this context, “tentative” means unsettled or not definite. The text indicates a contrast between Pennington and Kwolek in terms of their memorability (“place in our historical memory”) and states that Kwolek “will long be remembered” for her invention of Kevlar material. This context suggests that although Pennington had an impact on society, she may be less likely than Kwolek to be remembered for a very long time—in other words, that her memorability may be more tentative, or less definite, than Kwolek’s.
Choice A is incorrect because the text establishes a contrast between Pennington and Kwolek in terms of their “place in our historical memory” for their achievements, and the statement that Kwolek “will be long remembered” while Pennington’s memorability may be more “permanent,” or enduring, wouldn’t supply a contrast; it would instead suggest that both people will remain memorable. Choice C is incorrect because the text establishes a contrast between Pennington and Kwolek in terms of their memorability, suggesting that Pennington is less likely than Kwolek to be “long remembered,” but doesn’t address how “warranted,” or based on good reason, each person’s “place in our historical memory” is. In fact, the text suggests that both Pennington and Kwolek had significant achievements, even if one may be more memorable. Choice D is incorrect because the text establishes a contrast between Pennington and Kwolek in terms of their “place in our historical memory” for their achievements, and the statement that Kwolek “will be long remembered” while Pennington’s memorability may be more “prominent,” or widely known, wouldn’t supply a contrast; it would instead suggest that both people are very memorable.