2026年3月托福机经套卷(第7套)Read an Academic Passage5 道题

The Political Legacy of the Roman Empire

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The Political Legacy of the Roman Empire The fall of the Roman Empire reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the Mediterranean in profound ways. One widely accepted hypothesis is that the collapse of Roman administrative and military structures led to the fragmentation of centralized authority. Without Rome's unifying legal framework, power devolved to local warlords and tribal leaders, paving the way for feudalism and a mosaic of competing kingdoms. This decentralization fostered chronic instability, as seen in the frequent conflicts among the Franks, Visigoths, and Lombards. However, some scholars argue that this fragmentation was not purely detrimental. The absence of a dominant empire may have encouraged regional innovation and adaptability. For instance, the Carolingian Renaissance under Charlemagne suggests that localized rule could still produce cultural and intellectual flourishing. The emergence of monastic communities during this period also played a crucial role in preserving classical knowledge and fostering educational continuity across fragmented territories. Another compelling example is the Byzantine Empire, which retained Roman governance in the East and acted as a stabilizing force for centuries. Its survival challenges the notion that imperial collapse inevitably leads to disorder. While the fall of Rome dismantled a centralized system, it also opened space for diverse political experiments—some chaotic, and others surprisingly resilient.

Question 1查看单题

The word "fostered" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Aaccepted

Brevealed

Cpreceded

Dpromoted

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正确答案：D

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Question 2查看单题

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of paragraph 1?

ATo highlight the cultural achievements that followed the Roman Empire's collapse

BTo argue that the fall of Rome had minimal impact on European governance

CTo present a common explanation for the political fragmentation after Rome's fall

DTo contrast the Roman Empire's decline with the rise of local kingdoms

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正确答案：C

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Question 3查看单题

Why does the author mention the Carolingian Renaissance?

ATo illustrate that cultural growth was still possible despite political fragmentation

BTo show how Charlemagne attempted to restore the Roman Empire's boundaries

CTo argue that feudalism was a direct result of the Roman Empire's policies

DTo emphasize the role of military conflicts in shaping post-Roman Europe

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正确答案：A

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Question 4查看单题

The passage mentions each of the following as a consequence of the Roman Empire's collapse EXCEPT

Athe rise of feudalism and competing regional kingdoms

Bthe expansion of the Byzantine Empire into Western Europe

Cthe preservation of classical knowledge in monastic communities

Dthe transfer of political authority to local leaders

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正确答案：B

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Question 5查看单题

There are four locations █ in the passage that indicate where the following sentence could be added.

Such developments suggest that decentralization may have inadvertently laid the groundwork for a more pluralistic and resilient intellectual tradition.

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