TOEFL Readings 57

The American Revolution was not a revolution in the sense of a radical or total change. It was not a sudden and violent overturning of the political and social framework, such as later occurred in France and Russia, when both were already independent nations. Significant changes were ushered in, but they were not breathtaking. What happened was accelerated evolution rather than outright revolution. During the conflict itself people went on working and praying, marrying arid playing. Most of them were not seriously disturbed by the actual fighting, and many of the more isolated communities scarcely knew that a war was on.

Yet even he political overturn was not so revolutionary as one might suppose. In some states. notably Connecticut and Rhode island. the war largely ratified a colonial self - rule already existing. British officials, everywhere ousted, were replaced by a home- grown governing class which promptly sought a local substitute for king and Parliament.

1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

(A) the United States: An Isolated Community

(B) Breathtaking Events During the American Revolution

(C) Canada and the American War of independence

(D) The American Revolution: Evolution Not Revolution

 2. In the first paragraph. what does the author suggest about the French and Russian revolutions?

(A)  they were explosive and abrupt.

(B)  they were ineffective

(C) They involved only those people living in urban areas.

(D)They led to release of all political prisoners.

3. In lines 5-6, what does the author mean by people went on working and praying, marrying and playing

(A)More people got married than divorced.

(B) The war created new jobs.

(C) Life went on as usual.

(D) People had more than enough leisure time.

4.In the second paragraph, the author states that the colonies' struggle for self-government preoeded the creation of all of the to)lowing countries EXCEPT

(A) Canada

(B) The United States

(C)  Australia

(D)  The United Kingdom

5. It can be inferred from the passage that the loyalists who escaped to Canada were

(A) Russian

(B) French

(C) British

(D) Australian

6. What will the paragraph following the passage most probably discuss.

(A) The transport of prisoners to Australia

(B) The creation of new state governments

(C) Events leading up to the American Revolution

(E)  How Canada and the United States became friends