Question

overlooked women in science
historically, men have dominated the field of science, and many women have not received professional credit or public recognition for their work. rosalind franklin, for example, was a chemist who did groundbreaking research into the structure of dna, a type of molecule in cells that helps control their growth, activity, and reproduction. franklin’s x - ray photograph of dna was shared, without her knowledge, with biologist james watson. franklin’s work helped watson and fellow researcher francis crick discover the structure of dna, but she received no credit when they won a nobel prize for their model of dna in 1962. another scientist denied credit for her work was jocelyn bell burnell. bell burnell was a postgraduate student in 1967 when she discovered the first radio pulsars—small, dense rotating stars that emit radio waves. however, the credit was given to her supervisor, antony hewish, who received a nobel prize in 1974.
what is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
women have often failed to receive the credit they deserve for their scientific work.
jocelyn bell burnell failed to receive credit for her 1967 discovery of radio pulsars.

Explanation:

The passage starts with the statement that men dominated science and many women didn't get credit for their work. It then uses two examples (Rosalind Franklin and Jocelyn Bell Burnell) to support this claim. The first option summarizes this overarching idea, while the second is just one specific example.

Answer:

Women have often failed to receive the credit they deserve for their scientific work.