TOEFL Reading 練習問題#7：The Philosophical Impact of the Enlightenment
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問題文
The Philosophical Impact of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, an intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries, profoundly shaped modern thought. Rooted in the ideas of reason, science, and humanism, Enlightenment thinkers sought to challenge traditional authorities, such as the Church and monarchies, by advocating for liberty, equality, and democratic governance. ■[A]
One major tenet of the Enlightenment was the belief in empiricism, the idea that knowledge arises from sensory experience and evidence rather than intuition or tradition. Figures like John Locke argued that individuals are born as blank slates, or tabula rasa, ■[B] and develop knowledge through experience. This stood in opposition to earlier views of inherent ideas or divine knowledge.
Another hallmark of the Enlightenment was its emphasis on social contracts. Thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes explored how societies are formed through mutual agreements among individuals, where rights and responsibilities are established to ensure collective well-being. Rousseau, for instance, advocated for the “general will,” a concept emphasizing the common good as paramount. ■[C]
Despite its emphasis on progress, the Enlightenment was not without contradictions. While it championed equality and universal rights, many Enlightenment figures failed to address issues like slavery or women’s rights. Philosophers often limited their discussions to the concerns of European men, ignoring broader global implications. ■[D]
The legacy of the Enlightenment persists today, underpinning contemporary democratic institutions, human rights movements, and scientific advancements. However, modern critics argue that its rationalist framework can oversimplify complex human emotions and cultural differences.
QUESTIONS
Question 1
What was a primary focus of Enlightenment thinkers?
(A) Preserving traditional authorities
(B) Advocating for liberty and democratic governance
(C) Promoting divine knowledge as superior
(D) Rejecting scientific advancements
Question 2
What does tabula rasa most closely mean in the context of the passage?
(A) Predetermined ideas
(B) A blank slate
(C) Divine knowledge
(D) Cultural heritage
Question 3
Which sentence best captures the main idea of the following?
“Figures like John Locke argued that individuals are born as blank slates, or tabula rasa, and develop knowledge through experience. This stood in opposition to earlier views of inherent ideas or divine knowledge.”
(A) Locke believed in divine knowledge gained through faith.
(B) Locke proposed that knowledge is developed through life experiences, opposing the idea of innate ideas.
(C) Locke argued for traditional views of inherent ideas.
(D) Locke promoted intuition over sensory experience.
Question 4
What can be inferred about Rousseau’s concept of the “general will”?
(A) It supported individual desires above all.
(B) It prioritized the collective good over individual interests.
(C) It rejected social contracts as impractical.
(D) It mirrored Hobbes’ views on human selfishness.
Question 5
Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage?
“This view significantly influenced later political revolutions, including the American and French Revolutions.”
(A) ■[A] After “challenging traditional authorities, such as the Church and monarchies, by advocating for liberty, equality, and democratic governance.”
(B) ■[B] After “Figures like John Locke argued that individuals are born as blank slates, or tabula rasa.”
(C) ■[C] After “Rousseau, for instance, advocated for the ‘general will,’ a concept emphasizing the common good as paramount.”
(D) ■[D] After “Philosophers often limited their discussions to the concerns of European men, ignoring broader global implications.”
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a contradiction of the Enlightenment?
(A) Neglect of women’s rights
(B) Failure to address slavery
(C) Overemphasis on emotions
(D) Limited discussions to European concerns
Question 7
Summarize the main points of the passage by selecting THREE correct statements.
(A) Enlightenment thinkers challenged traditional authorities with ideas of liberty and equality.
(B) The Enlightenment universally supported women’s rights and opposed slavery.
(C) Concepts of empiricism and social contracts were central to Enlightenment thought.
(D) Critics of the Enlightenment point out its limited focus and oversimplification of human experience.
(E) Modern human rights movements oppose the Enlightenment’s principles.
Question 8
Why does the author mention “many Enlightenment figures failed to address issues like slavery or women’s rights”?
(A) To illustrate that Enlightenment ideals were universally applied
(B) To highlight a contradiction in Enlightenment thought
(C) To argue that Enlightenment ideas were irrelevant
(D) To suggest the Enlightenment opposed global implications
Question 9
What does the passage suggest about the legacy of the Enlightenment?
(A) It has little relevance to contemporary society.
(B) It underpins modern democratic and scientific advancements.
(C) It completely solved issues of inequality.
(D) It prioritized cultural differences over universal rights.
Question 10
Based on the passage, how did the Enlightenment influence modern society? Select TWO correct answers.
(A) It laid the foundation for democratic institutions.
(B) It eliminated contradictions in human rights.
(C) It promoted a rationalist framework for progress.
(D) It replaced empirical research with intuitive knowledge.
Correct Answers
Question 1: B
Question 2: B
Question 3: B
Question 4: B
Question 5: A
Question 6: C
Question 7: A, C, D
Question 8: B
Question 9: B
Question 10: A, C
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