『新东方在线托福阅读』为托福考生准备了ETS托福TPO/Official 50 Passage 2阅读练习：The word “Timid” in the passage is closest in meaning to真题题目及答案解析，TPO/Official 50 Passage 2阅读原文范文音频翻译

托福TPO/Official 50 Passage 2阅读原文The word “Timid” in the passage is closest in meaning to题目答案及解析-新东方托福官方网校手机版

The Achievement of Brazilian Independence

与西班牙美洲地区政治上的无政府状态，经济混乱和军事破坏形成鲜明对比的是，巴西脱离葡萄牙的独立运动是在1808年至1822年之间相对不血腥的过渡中进行的。

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.

巴西独立的想法最早出现在18世纪后期，是巴西人对葡萄牙为了祖国利益而加强对殖民地政治和经济控制政策的反应。

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.

第一次反对葡萄牙统治的重大谋划是1788-1799年在米纳斯吉拉斯州组织的，在那里，政府严格控制黄金和钻石的生产和价格，以及税收繁重，引起了很多人的不满。

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.

但是这种谋划从未超越讨论的阶段，它很容易被发现和粉碎。

But this conspiracy never went beyond the stage of discussion and was easily discovered and crushed.

18世纪后期的其他谋划以及1817年的一次短暂起义反映了共和思想对精英阶层甚至城市社会底层的影响。

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.

所有一切都失败了，或者很快被粉碎了。

All proved abortive or were soon crushed.

要不是因为欧洲历史上的一次偶然（事件），巴西的独立可能会被推迟很长时间。

Were it not for an accident of European history, the independence of Brazil might have been long delayed.

1807年法国入侵葡萄牙，随后葡萄牙朝廷(主权和政府官员)逃往巴西里约热内卢，这让巴西趁机获益。

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.

实际上，朝廷的转移标志着巴西取得了独立。

Indeed, the transfer of the court in effect signified achievement of Brazilian independence.

葡萄牙王子和未来的国王若昂六世向友好国家开放了巴西的港口，允许当地产业的崛起，并成立了巴西银行。

The Portuguese prince and future King João VI opened Brazil’s ports to the trade of friendly nations, permitted the rise of local industries, and founded the Bank of Brazil.

1815年，他将巴西提升为与葡萄牙同等地位的王国。

In 1815 he elevated Brazil to the legal status of a kingdom coequal with Portugal.

但是，从某种意义上说，巴西的新地位标志着一种依赖取代了另一种依赖。

In one sense, however, Brazil’s new status signified the substitution of one dependence for another.

巴西从葡萄牙的控制下解放出来，在经济上处于英格兰的统治之下，英格兰通过1810年葡萄牙和英国之间的斯特兰福德条约获得了主要的关税优惠和其他特权。

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.

该条约规定将英国制成品进口到巴西，并将巴西农产品出口到英国。

The treaty provided for the importation of British manufactures into Brazil and the export of Brazilian agricultural produce to Great Britain.

结果之一是大量廉价的机械产品涌入，倾覆了这个国家的手工业。

One result was an influx of cheap machine-made goods that swamped the handicrafts industry of the country.

巴西精英满足于巴西的新角色，以及他们所属阶级的教育、文化和经济机会的增长。

Brazilian elites took satisfaction in Brazil’s new role and the growth of educational, cultural, and economic opportunities for their class.

但这种情绪夹杂着对数千名葡萄牙朝臣(官员)和逢迎者的怨恨，他们随朝廷而来，与巴西人竞争工作和利益。

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.

因此，巴西地位的改变加剧了葡萄牙精英之间的冲突——其中一种精英是出生在巴西的葡萄牙精英，另一种是出生在葡萄牙、忠于葡萄牙王室的精英。

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.

导致巴西与祖国决裂的事件是1820年葡萄牙的革命。

The event that precipitated the break with the mother country was the revolution of 1820 in Portugal.

葡萄牙革命者制定了王国的一部自由宪法，但相对于巴西，他们是保守派或反动派。

The Portuguese revolutionaries framed a liberal constitution for the kingdom, but they were conservative or reactionary in relation to Brazil.

他们要求若昂国王立刻返回里斯本，要求国王结束他创立的双重君主制，并且恢复葡萄牙的商业垄断。

They demanded the immediate return of King João to Lisbon, an end to the system of dual monarchy that he had devised, and the restoration of the Portuguese commercial monopoly.

国王若昂胆小而优柔寡断，不知该如何是好。

Timid and vacillating, King João did not know which way to turn.

朝臣们迫切希望返回葡萄牙，寻回其失去的财产，在这些人的压力下，国王终于批准了新宪法并坐船前往葡萄牙。

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.

然而，他留下了他的儿子和继承人佩德罗，并在一封私人信件中告诉他，如果巴西人要求独立，他应该领导运动并把巴西的王冠戴在头上。

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.

很快，情况变得明朗起来，葡萄牙议会打算通过废除巴西自1808年以来赢得的所有自由和让步，来让时间倒退。

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.

它的一项法令坚持要求佩德罗立即从巴西返回。

One of its decrees insisted on the immediate return of Pedro from Brazil.

The pace of events moved more rapidly in 1822.

1月9日，在巴西顾问的敦促下，佩德罗拒绝了议会让他重返葡萄牙的命令，他们认为，这是一次绝佳机会，巴西能够在没有群众干预的情况下有条不紊地过渡到独立状态。佩德罗说了一句著名的话:“我留下。”

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.”

9月7日被所有巴西人视为独立日，佩德罗发表了更为著名的宣言：“独立或者死亡！”

On September 7, regarded by all Brazilians as Independence Day, he issued the even more celebrated proclamation, “Independence or death!”

1822年12月，在克服了葡萄牙军队的轻微抵抗之后，人们正式宣布唐·佩德罗为巴西立宪皇帝。

In December 1822, having overcome slight resistance by Portuguese troops, Dom Pedro was formally proclaimed constitutional Emperor of Brazil.

The word “anarchy” in the passage is closest in meaning to

According to paragraph 1, what first caused Brazilians to think seriously about trying to achieve independence from Portugal?

According to paragraph 1, what happened to the 1788–1799 conspiracy against Portuguese rule?

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

According to paragraph 2, King João did each of the following for Brazil EXCEPT

The word “precipitated” in the passage is closest in meaning to

According to paragraph 4, the Portuguese revolutionaries insisted on each of the following EXCEPT

The word “Timid” in the passage is closest in meaning to

In paragraph 4, why does the author mention that King João’s courtiers “hungered to return to Portugal and their lost estates”?

Paragraphs 4 and 5 support the idea that Brazil’s move to declare independence in 1822 was primarily the result of

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.

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

Look at the four squares  that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Therefore, although still closely linked to Portugal, Brazil was no longer formally considered a colony.  Look at the four squares  that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

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 João 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 João 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 João 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.” 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.