小站备考
托福
托福阅读
Official50阅读真题

OFFICIAL50 According to paragraph 2, Brazil gained a significant measure of independence early in the nineteenth century primarily as a result of

展开
The Achievement of Brazilian Independence
Tip:单击查看句义;划选/双击查生词
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 Joao 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. ln 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 Joao 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 Joao 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, "l remain." On 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.

4.According to paragraph 2, Brazil gained a significant measure of independence early in the nineteenth century primarily as a result of

你的答案:
正确答案:C
题目解析:
 后才能查看题目解析,还没有账号? 马上注册
【题目翻译】:根据第2段,巴西在19世纪早期获得了重要的独立性,主要是因为以下哪个选项? A:葡萄牙王子渴望成为巴西国王,而不是葡萄牙国王 B:巴西在工业和金融方面的重要性日益增加 C:葡萄牙法院飞往里约热内卢的航班 D:与英格兰的斯特朗福德条约 【判定题型】:题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息,故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。 【关键词定位】:虽然题目要求我们在第二段中寻找答案,但是细心的同学会发现,第一段的最后一句话就已经给出了这样的提示“Were it not for an accident of European history, the independence of Brazil might have been long delayed.”所以第二段中所要描述的历史事件就是解题的关键。我们看第二段第1、2句话“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.”这两句话说法国的入侵,使葡萄牙政府逃到了里约热内卢,政府的转移事实上意味着巴西的独立的实现。 【逻辑分析】:葡萄牙政府逃到里约热内卢这个选项与文章所给句子意思一致。 【选项分析】: C选项:葡萄牙政府逃到里约热内卢,正确。 A选项:葡萄牙的王子想做巴西的国王,而不要做葡萄牙的国王。该信息在第二段中未提及,故排除。 B选项:巴西日益增长的工业和经济的重要性。错误,第二段中只谈到葡萄牙王子来到巴西之后所做的一些有利于产业和经济发展的举措,这并不是巴西取得独立的原因,故排除。 D选项:巴西与英国签订的斯特兰福德条约。错误,文章说英国通过1810年与葡萄牙签订的斯特兰福德条约,获得了重大的关税减让和其他特权。但是该条约的签订并不是导致巴西独立的原因。该选项属于无关干扰信息,可以排除。

学习页面

Medi

terr

anean

加强 + 政府 + 名词后缀

加强的政府——管理

原文例句

加入生词

本文生词 0

色块区域是你收藏过的生词;

查询次数越多,颜色越深哦~

显示文中生词

登录后才能收藏生词哦,现在登录注册>

本文重点词 45

文中加粗单词为本文重点词;

根据词频与核心词范围精心挑选,托福考试必掌握词汇。

显示文中重点词
学习本文词汇

文中划选/双击的生词、加粗重点词已收纳至词盒

可随时点击词盒查看哦~

只有在词句精学模式下才能开启词盒功能哦~

我知道了

词盒
收藏
笔记
我的笔记
5000
保存
反馈