Mrs. Michelle Obama has caught everyone's attention. Wives of presidents of the United States, referred to as "First Ladies," usually play second fiddle to their husbands, as one would expect. Mrs. Obama is no different in that regard. She gave up her own work as a lawyer and Chicago city administrator▼ to attend to the couple's children and her husband's career, as in campaigning nationwide▼ for him. As first ladies do, Mrs. Obama has also focused on particular issues close to her heart. Among these issues are improving the lives of military families, encouraging youths to continue their education, and promoting healthful lifestyles to include organic food and exercise. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, made launching the United Nations one of her personal projects, which she succeeded in accomplishing. Laura Bush, Mrs. Obama's predecessor▼, focused on health, education, and literacy, much as Michelle Obama has. Mrs. Bush was a librarian▼, so it is no surprise that she would encourage education and literacy. Mrs. Obama, from a poor family, was impressed with how education makes a difference in people's lives. Mrs. Obama is no stranger to controversy, despite her popularity. In 2008 she said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime I am proud of my country." Many people interpreted this as blatantly▼ racist▼ and anti-American. At the 2016 Democratic National Convention▼, she said, "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves." True, but she did not mention that freed African-Americans, European immigrants, and especially Scots — brought in by the Scottish architect of the White House — also labored on the building. Despite these gaffes▼, Mrs. Obama has worked hard to make life better for American society. 1. What topic concerning Mrs. Michelle Obama is NOT mentioned in the article? (A) Her former employment. (B) Her current family life. (C) Her focus on issues. (D) Her comparison with other first ladies. 2. What issue promoted by Mrs. Obama is NOT mentioned in the article? (A) Her encouraging youths to stay in school. (B) Her making Americans conscious of healthful eating. (C) Her attention to reducing poverty. (D) Her concern with the well-being of military families. 3. Why are first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Laura Bush mentioned? (A) To provide evidence of first ladies' focus on issues important to them. (B) To show how important education is to their personal issues. (C) To distinguish these first ladies from each other. (D) To explain the role first ladies play in their husbands' political policies. 4. What does the word gaffes in the last sentence of the article most nearly mean? (A) Lessons to be taught to others. (B) Unfeeling or embarrassing remarks. (C) Intellectually stimulating ideas. (D) Quotations from famous people.
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