Page 48 - index

2022 ‫מועד חורף‬ - 47 - ‫ פרק שני‬- ‫אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) Kung-fu-tzu, or Confucius, founded the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism.
Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the city-state of Lu in northern China and died in
479 BCE. Not much is known about his early life, but it is thought that his rich and
aristocratic family lost its status and became poor.

(5) When Confucius was young, the political situation in China was unstable.
Although he held various official positions at the beginning of his career, Confucius
eventually decided to become a teacher in order to educate future leaders. He attracted
a large number of students with whom he discussed the moral, social, and political
problems of the day.

(10) Confucius taught his students by encouraging debate, not by lecturing them. He
emphasized the importance of Li, which might be translated as proper behavior or good
manners. Confucius's ideal person was serious, respectful to superiors, and polite to
strangers. Confucius believed that it was a son's duty not only to take care of his
parents, but also to respect his ancestors. After Confucius died, his students continued

(15) to spread his ideas. His teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced East Asian
life.

For hundreds of years, Confucianism was widely followed in China. It was viewed
as a way of life, a code of moral and social behavior, rather than a religion. Therefore,
many people followed the teachings of Confucius while at the same time practicing a

(20) religion such as Buddhism or Christianity. After the Communist revolution of 1949,
Confucianism was banned by China's rulers, who believed that it would prevent social
progress and change. In 1962, however, the Communist government changed its policy
and the practice of Confucianism was permitted once again.

Questions

13. In the second paragraph, the author explains -

(1) why Confucius became a teacher
(2) why the political situation in China was unstable
(3) how students were educated in China
(4) how Confucius became interested in politics

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬
.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬