Reading 48

Line (5) (10) (15) (20) (25)

Alexis de Tocqueville, the French political scientist, historian, philosopher and politician, is most famous for a four-volume book he wrote called “Democracy in America”. He came to America in 1831 to study the American form of democracy and what it might mean to the rest of the world. After a visit of only nine months, he wrote a remarkable book which is regarded as a classic. De Tocqueville had unusual powers of observation. He described not only the democratic system of government and how it operated, but also its effect on how Americans think, feel, and act. Many scholars believe he had a deeper understanding of traditional American beliefs and values than anyone else who has written about the United States. What is so remarkable is that many of these traits which he observed nearly 200 years ago, are still visible and meaningful today. His observations are also important because the timing of his visit, the 1830s, was before America was industrialized. This was the kurun of the small farmer, the small businessman, and the settling of the western frontier. It was the period of history when the traditional values of the new country were newly established. In just a generation, some 40 years since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, the new form of government had already produced a society of people with unique values. He was, however, a neutral observer and saw both the good and bad sides of these qualities.           The first part of “Democracy in America” was written in 1831-32 and published in 1835. A highly positive and optimistic account of American government and society, the book was very well received. He attempted to get a glimpse of the essence of American society, all the while promoting his own philosophy: the equaling of the classes and the inevitable depth of aristocratic privilege. The rest of the book he labored on for four years, and in 1840 the second part was published. This was substantially more pessimistic than the first, warning of the dangers despotism and governmental centralization, and applying his ideas and criticisms more directly to France. As a result, it was not received as well as the first part, except in England where it was acclaimed highly.

11. What is the passage primarily about?

(A) Alexis de Tocqueville

(B) “Democracy in America”

(C) the progress achieved in America within about 40 years after adoption of the U.S. Constitution

(D) the impact of the book “Democracy in America”

12. All of the following fields of professional interest and activity are used to describe de Tocqueville EXCEPT

(A) philosopher               (B) author                       (C) political scientist        (D) politician

13. According to the passage, when did de Tocqueville visit America

(A) 1830s                        (B) 1831                          (C) 1831-32                     (D) 1835

14. The phrase “these traits” in lines 9-10 refers to

(A) observations                                                   (B) how Americans think, feel, and act

(C) traditional American beliefs and values             (D) visible and meaningful observations

15. What in the passage is mentioned as being truly remarkable?

(A) many of his observations are still visible and meaningful today

(B) the book was so detailed and thorough after only such a comparatively short visit

(C) that the second volume should be so pessimistic in comparison with the first

(D) de Tocqueville’s powers of observation

16. The word “unique” in line 16 is closest in meaning to

(A) clearly identifiable                                            (B) outstanding

(C) unmatched                                                      (D) positive

17. The word “neutral” in line 16 is closest in meaning to

(A) impartial                    (B) careful                       (C) important                   (D) thorough

18. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(A) the English don’t like the French

(B) the book was most important because it was the first time that American values had been clearly documented

(C) de Tocqueville was a slow writer

(D) de Tocqueville was primarily motivated by an interest in his own country

19. The word “glimpse” in line 20 is closest in meaning to

(A) overview                                                         (B) glance

(C) brief understanding                                          (D) quick conclusion

20. According to the passage, “Democracy in America” consisted of how many volumes?

(A) one                           (B) two                           (C) three                         (D) four

kunci jawaban:

11) B 12) B 13) B 14) C 15) A 16) C 17) A 18) B 19) B 20) D