Comic：Marie Curie and the secret university

[2021.10.13] 發表

【明報專訊】Eason is sitting alone in the classroom.

“ Bill: Hmm? Eason is over there! ”

“ MoMo: He looks cunning! What's he plotting again? ”

“ Bill: Hey, Eason. What are you doing here? ”

“ Eason: I'm making plans for my new business. ”

“ Bill: What kind of business? Something illegal? ”

“ Eason: It's OK to do something illegal. Haven't you heard about the story of Marie Curie? She studied at an illegal school. ”

“ MoMo: That's totally different! She had no choice but to study secretly. ”

“ Bill: Yes, you will be in jail if you do something outside the law. ”

◆Know more

Marie Curie (1867 - 1934), who was born in Poland, was a famous scientist. She is best known for her research on radioactivity.

The daughter of two teachers, she was taught to read and write early. As a young girl, she was already interested in science. She was intelligent and had a sharp memory, so she graduated from high school at a young age of 15. She came first in her class.

At that time, girls were not allowed to study at universities. Therefore, Marie Curie studied at a ''secret university'' which operated from private homes at night. In order to hide from the police, they had to change the location from time to time. Later, she studied at a university in France.

With her husband, she discovered two important elements. She also improved X-ray machines so that clearer pictures could be produced. Her findings paved the way for the development of cancer treatment. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person to receive two Nobel Prizes.

■English highway﹕To pave the way for something

is an idiom which means ''to make it possible or easier for something''.

e.g. Her effort paved the way for the development of education.

The agreement will pave the way for rapid economic development.

■Glossary

cunning (adj) 狡猾的

plot (v) 密謀

radioactivity (n) 輻射

element (n) 元素

[Smarties' Power English 第320期]