Western civilization arose in the Near East and spread eventually to North America and other continents. For two thousand years, however, it had been intimately associated with Europe. A mere peninsula of Asia, Europe is, except for Australia, the smallest of the continents. Its population, ever counting offshoots overseas, has never been more than a minority of mankind. Yet it has played a towering role in the world. The extraordinary length and irregularity of its coast
line-a veritable lacework of bays, inlets, channels, and internal seas-and a rich system of riverways brought Europeans close to one another and gave them access to the rest of the world. Although it is situated in the same latitudes as Canada, Europe has a moderate climate and a fairly regular rainfall. The resources of the continent are sufficiently modest to exact effort and forethought and sufficiency ample to reward them. They have neither the luxuriance that makes man lazy and improvident nor the barrenness that makes him niggardly and takes away his hope.
56. The main theme of this passage is that------.
A. Western civilization arose in the Near East
B. Conditions in Europe favored the growth of Western civilization
C. The coastline of Europe is a lacework of bays, inlets, channels and internal seas
D. Luxuriance makes may lazy and improvident
57. The passage says that--------------
A. Europe and Australia are the smallest and next smallest continents, respectively.
B. Australia and Europe are the smallest and next smallest continents, respectively.
C. Asia and Europe are the two smallest continents.
D. Asia is older than Europe
58. Which of the following was not mentioned as one of Europe’s qualities?
A. Conditions were good for shipping
B. Resources were neither too plentiful nor to scarce
C. Western civilization arose in the Near East
D. The climate was not severe
59. The passage implies that--------does not have a moderate climate.
A. Canada B. Australia C. Europe D. Asia
60. The author feels that society progresses best when-------------.
A. conditions are extremely hard so the people hope to better themselves
B. the people can, through their labor, attain a comfortable lifestyle
C. the people live in luxury
D. the government has a strong but fair leader