托福閱讀真題Official 50 Passage 2（六）

托福閱讀真題Official 50 Passage 2（六）

The Achievement of Brazilian Independence

In contrast to the political anarchy,economic dislocation,and military destruction in Spanish America,Brazil’s drive toward independence from Portugal proceeded as a relatively bloodless transition between 1808 and 1822.The idea of Brazilian independence first arose in the late eighteenth century as a Brazilian reaction to the Portuguese policy of tightening political and economic control over the colony in the interests of the mother country.The first significant conspiracy against Portuguese rule was organized from 1788–1799 in the province of Minas Gerais,where rigid governmental control over the production and prices of gold and diamonds,as well as heavy taxes,caused much discontent.But this conspiracy never went beyond the stage of discussion and was easily discovered and crushed.Other conspiracies in the late eighteenth century as well as a brief revolt in 1817 reflected the influence of republican ideas over sections of the elite and even the lower strata of urban society.All proved abortive or were soon crushed.Were it not for an accident of European history,the independence of Brazil might have been long delayed.

The French invasion of Portugal in 1807 followed by the flight of the Portuguese court(sovereign and government officers)to Rio de Janeiro brought large benefits to Brazil.Indeed,the transfer of the court in effect signified achievement of Brazilian independence.The Portuguese prince and future King Jo?o VI opened Brazil’s ports to the trade of friendly nations,permitted the rise of local industries,and founded the Bank of Brazil.In 1815 he elevated Brazil to the legal status of a kingdom coequal with Portugal.In one sense,however,Brazil’s new status signified the substitution of one dependence for another.Freed from Portuguese control,Brazil came under the economic dominance of England,which obtained major tariff concessions and other privileges by the Strangford Treaty of 1810 between Portugal and Great Britain.The treaty provided for the importation of British manufactures into Brazil and the export of Brazilian agricultural produce to Great Britain.One result was an influx of cheap machine-made goods that swamped the handicrafts industry of the country.

Brazilian elites took satisfaction in Brazil’s new role and the growth of educational,cultural,and economic opportunities for their class.But the feeling was mixed with resentment toward the thousands of Portuguese courtiers(officials)and hangers-on who came with the court and who competed with Brazilians for jobs and favors.Thus,the change in the status of Brazil sharpened the conflict between Portuguese elites born in Brazil and elites born in Portugal and loyal to the Portuguese crown.

The event that precipitated the break with the mother country was the revolution of 1820 in Portugal.The Portuguese revolutionaries framed a liberal constitution for the kingdom,but they were conservative or reactionary in relation to Brazil.They demanded the immediate return of King Jo?o to Lisbon,an end to the system of dual monarchy that he had devised,and the restoration of the Portuguese commercial monopoly.Timid and vacillating,King Jo?o did not know which way to turn.Under the pressure of his courtiers,who hungered to return to Portugal and their lost estates,he finally approved the new constitution and sailed for Portugal.He left behind him,however,his son and heir,Pedro,and in a private letter advised him that in the event the Brazilians should demand independence,he should assume leadership of the movement and set the crown of Brazil on his head.

Soon it became clear that the Portuguese parliament intended to set the clock back by abrogating all the liberties and concessions won by Brazil since 1808.One of its decrees insisted on the immediate return of Pedro from Brazil.The pace of events moved more rapidly in 1822.On January 9,urged on by Brazilian advisers who perceived a golden opportunity to make an orderly transition to independence without the intervention of the masses,Pedro refused an order from the parliament to return to Portugal,saying famously,“I remain.”O(jiān)n September 7,regarded by all Brazilians as Independence Day,he issued the even more celebrated proclamation,“Independence or death!”In December 1822,having overcome slight resistance by Portuguese troops,Dom Pedro was formally proclaimed constitutional Emperor of Brazil.

Question 11 of 14

Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

A.On January 9,1822,Brazil achieved independence without any involvement by the masses when Pedro,despite the urging of his Brazilian advisers,defied a parliamentary order to return to Portugal.

B.Following the urging of Brazilian advisers,on January 9,1822,the Portuguese parliament ordered Pedro to return,but,hoping to avoid conflict with the masses,Pedro declared,“I remain.”

C.The best opportunity for Brazil to achieve independence without involving the masses came on January 9,1822,but Pedro,saying,“I remain,”refused an order to return to Portugal.

D.Seeing the possibility of an orderly transition to independence,Pedro’s Brazilian advisers urged him to refuse to return to Portugal,and on January 9,1822,Pedro did refuse,declaring,“I remain.”

正確答案：D

題目詳解

題型分類：簡化句子題

原文分析：原句主干為urged on by Brazilian advisers,Pedro refused an order from the parliament to return to Portugal，大意為：1月9日，在巴西顧問的督促下，他們認為這是一個千載難逢的機會能讓巴西在排除干擾的情況下有秩序地過渡為獨立的王國，佩德羅拒絕了葡萄牙議會要求他回到葡萄牙的命令，說出了那句著名的：“我將留在這里”。

選項分析：

選項D主干為Pedro’s Brazilian advisers urged him to refuse to return to Portugal,and Pedro did refuse與原句相符。

選項A：despite the urging of his Brazilian advisers信息原句并無此轉折關系。

選項B：葡萄牙議會的命令沒有說是因為巴西顧問的敦促。

選項C：The best opportunity和Pedro,saying,“I remain”不是轉折關系。

Question 12 of 14

According to paragraph 5,Independence Day in Brazil is the date on which

A.Brazil made Dom Pedro its constitutional Emperor

B.Dom Pedro refused to comply with the Portuguese parliament’s demand that he return to Portugal

C.the Portuguese parliament officially withdrew all formal connection to Brazil

D.Dom Pedro publicly declared his position by saying,“Independence or death!”

Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow

正確答案：D

題目詳解

題型分類：事實信息題

原文定位：根據Independence Day定位到第五段倒數第二句。

選項分析：

D選項declared his position by saying,“Independence or death!”對應倒數第二句issued the even more celebrated proclamation,“Independence or death!”。

A選項Brazil made Dom Pedro its constitutional Emperor發(fā)生在1822年的12月，而不是9月7號獨立日。

B選項發(fā)生在1月9號，而不是9月7號獨立日。

C選項withdrew all formal connection to Brazil沒有在第五段提到。

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