The Boxer Rebellion - TOEFL iBT® Reading Practice Test

The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial uprising that took place in China between 1899 and 1901. Led by a group known as the "Boxers," who were primarily peasants and martial artists, this movement arose in response to widespread resentment toward foreign influence and Christian missionary activity in China.

The Boxers sought to rid the country of foreign powers and their influence, leading to a violent conflict with international forces. The rebellion ultimately ended in defeat, but it had lasting implications for China’s relationship with the outside world. This passage will explore the causes, events, and impact of the Boxer Rebellion, examining how it shaped China's modern history.

Reading Instructions: 

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question.
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1

The Boxer Rebellion happened in China from 1899 to 1901 and was a key event in the countrys fight against foreign control and internal problems. This rebellion against foreigners and Christians was mainly led by a secret group called the "Boxers," or "Yihequan," which means "Righteous and Harmonious Fists." The movement started because many Chinese felt threatened by the growing impact of Western countries and Japan in their affairs. The Boxers wanted to remove foreign influence and bring back old-fashioned Chinese values, fueled by a mix of social and financial issues, national pride, and a wish to reclaim their culture.

Factual Information Question

1. According to paragraph 1, what was the primary aim of the Boxers during the Boxer Rebellion?
   
   1. To promote Western values
   2. To remove foreign influence and restore traditional Chinese value 
   3. To support the Qing dynasty
   4. To establish a new government

Negative Factual Information Question

1. The author mentions all of the following as reasons for the Boxer Rebellion EXCEPT
   
   1. Social issues
   2. Financial struggles
   3. The desire for foreign alliances

   4. National pride

Paragraph 2 

The roots of the Boxer Rebellion go back to a time of great social unrest in China, worsened by natural disasters, financial struggles, and the shame faced by the Qing dynasty after the Opium Wars. By the late 19th century, foreign powers were heavily involved in China, with various Western nations and Japan taking control of different regions. This led to widespread anger among the Chinese people, especially the rural poor, who felt isolated from their own government. The Boxers took advantage of this anger, spreading the idea that through martial arts and spiritual practices, they could become immune to bullets and foreign hostility. This belief not only gathered support but also gave a sense of power to those feeling helpless against foreign rule.

Inference Question

1. What can be inferred about the feelings of the rural poor in China during the late 19th century?
   
   1. They were content with the Qing dynasty's rule.
   2. They felt empowered by foreign influence.
   3. They experienced a sense of isolation and anger towards their government.
   4. They were indifferent to the Boxer movement.

Vocabulary Question

1. In paragraph 2, the word "worsened" is closest in meaning to:
   

   1. Improved

   2. Aggravated
   3. Stabilised

   4. Complicated

Paragraph 3

The movement gained support in 1899, especially in northern China, where the Boxers began attacking foreign nationals, Chinese Christians, and anyone linked to foreign powers. They thought that by getting rid of these influences, they could restore Chinas independence and cultural identity. The violence grew rapidly, peaking with the siege of Beijing in June 1900, when the Boxers, along with some Qing officials, surrounded the foreign legations. This siege lasted for 55 days and drew global attention as foreign governments rushed to protect their citizens and interests in China. The siege highlighted the tensions between foreign powers and the Chinese people and showed the Qing dynasty's failure to keep order.

Rhetorical Purpose Question

1. Why does the author mention the siege of Beijing in paragraph 3?
   
   1. To illustrate the Boxers' military strategy
   2. To highlight the international response to the Boxer Rebellion
   3. To emphasise the Qing dynasty's strength
   4. To describe the Boxers' cultural practices

Paragraph 4

In reaction to the rising violence, an eight-nation alliance formed, including Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. This group aimed to rescue the surrounded legations and crush the Boxer movement. In August 1900, the alliance launched a military operation, moving toward Beijing and fighting fierce battles with Boxer forces. The foreign troops eventually took the city, leading to widespread looting and violence against the Chinese population. This involvement not only ended the Boxer Rebellion but also deepened foreign control in China, resulting in harsh penalties against the Qing dynasty. Critics argue that this worsened anti-foreign feelings and widened the gap between China and the West.

Sentence Simplification Question  

1. Which of the following sentences best expresses the essential information in the following text from paragraph 4? "The foreign troops eventually took the city, leading to widespread looting and violence against the Chinese population.
   
   1. The foreign troops captured the city and caused chaos.

   2. The Boxer forces surrendered without a fight.

   3. The foreign troops were welcomed by the Chinese population.

   4. The Boxer Rebellion ended peacefully.

Paragraphs 5

The aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion had significant effects on China. The Qing government had to sign the Boxer Agreement in September 1901, which imposed heavy penalties, including payments exceeding 330 million taels of silver, the execution of officials who supported the Boxers, and the stationing of foreign troops in Beijing. This treaty not only embarrassed the Qing dynasty but also increased anti-foreign sentiments among the Chinese people. The rebellion and its suppression revealed the weaknesses of the Qing government and fueled calls for reform and modernization. So, the Boxer Rebellion can be seen as a trigger for the 1911 Revolution, which ended over two thousand years of empire-building in China.

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of paragraph 5 is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the TWO answer choices that express the most important ideas in the paragraph.

Prose Summary Question

1. The Boxer Rebellion had significant consequences for China, including:
   
   1. The Qing government faced severe penalties and increased anti-foreign sentiments.
   2. The Boxer Rebellion was a complete failure with no lasting impact.
   3. The rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Qing dynasty and led to calls for reform.
   4. The Boxer Rebellion was primarily a military conflict with no political implications.

Paragraphs 6

The Boxer Rebellion is a complex and debated topic in Chinese history. While its often seen as a nationalist uprising against foreign empire-building, it also reflects deeper social issues, including class struggles and the clash between old-fashioned values and modern influences. The legacy of the rebellion still resonates in todays China, where discussions about patriotism, foreign relations, and cultural identity are ongoing. Moreover, the events of the Boxer Rebellion remind us of the challenges nations face when dealing with globalization and the effects of foreign involvement in domestic issues. Questions about the balance between national independence and international cooperation continue, making the Boxer Rebellion an important case study in global history.

Purpose of the Passage Question

1. What is the main purpose of paragraph 6?
   
   1. To provide a detailed account of the Boxer Rebellion's events
   2. To discuss the ongoing relevance and implications of the Boxer Rebellion
   3. To argue against the nationalist interpretation of the Boxer Rebellion
   4. To highlight the military strategies used during the Boxer Rebellion

Insert Missing Sentence Question 

1. In paragraph 6, there is a missing sentence. The paragraph is repeated below and shows four letters (A, B, C, and D) that indicate where the following sentence could be added. "The Boxer Rebellion serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in national identity." Where would the sentence best fit?

   1. The Boxer Rebellion is a complex and debated topic in Chinese history.

   2. While its often seen as a nationalist uprising against foreign empire-building, it also reflects deeper social issues, including class struggles and the clash between old-fashioned values and modern influences.

   3. The legacy of the rebellion still resonates in todays China, where discussions about patriotism, foreign relations, and cultural identity are ongoing.

   4. Moreover, the events of the Boxer Rebellion remind us of the challenges nations face when dealing with globalization and the effects of foreign involvement in domestic issues.

Prose Summary Question

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage.

1. The Boxer Rebellion was a significant event in Chinese history that highlighted:
   
   1. The struggle against foreign control and the desire for cultural identity.
   2. The Qing dynasty's unyielding strength in the face of foreign powers.
   3. The social unrest and class struggles that contributed to the uprising.
   4. The lasting impact of the rebellion on modern Chinese society and politics.
   5. The complete failure of the Boxer movement to achieve its goals. 

   6. The international response and consequences of the rebellion for China.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - The Boxer Rebellion

1.  Answer: B
Explanation: The passage clearly states that the Boxers aimed to eliminate foreign influence and revive traditional Chinese values. This aim is central to understanding the motivations behind the Boxer Rebellion, as it reflects the broader context of national pride and cultural reclamation that fueled the movement.

2.  Answer: C
Explanation: The passage discusses social issues, financial struggles, and national pride as contributing factors to the Boxer Rebellion. However, it does not mention a desire for foreign alliances, which contradicts the Boxers' aim of removing foreign influence altogether.

3.  Answer: C
Explanation: The passage indicates that the rural poor felt isolated from their government and were angry due to the foreign powers' control over China. This sense of isolation and anger is crucial to understanding why they would support the Boxers, who promised empowerment against foreign rule.

4.  Answer: B
Explanation:  The term "worsened" suggests an increase in severity, which aligns closely with "aggravated." Both terms imply that the situation in China became more serious due to various factors, including natural disasters and financial struggles.

5.  Answer: C
Explanation: The siege of Beijing is significant because it drew global attention and prompted foreign governments to act. By mentioning this event, the author illustrates the international implications of the Boxer Rebellion and the response from foreign powers, which is a key aspect of the narrative.

6. Answer: A
Explanation: This sentence succinctly captures the essence of the original text, which describes the foreign troops taking control of Beijing and the resulting chaos, including looting and violence against the Chinese population.

7.  Answer: A and C
Explanation:  Both selected answers reflect the major consequences of the Boxer Rebellion as described in the passage. The Qing government faced severe penalties, and the rebellion revealed its weaknesses, prompting calls for reform, which are crucial themes in understanding the aftermath of the event.

8.  Answer: B
Explanation:  The paragraph focuses on the lasting impact of the Boxer Rebellion on contemporary discussions about nationalism, foreign relations, and cultural identity in China. This indicates that the author aims to highlight the relevance of the rebellion in today's context.

9.  Answer: C
Explanation: The missing sentence fits well here as it reinforces the idea that the Boxer Rebellion is a complex topic that continues to influence discussions about national identity, making it a logical addition to this part of the paragraph.

10.  Answer: A, C and D
Explanation: These selected answers encapsulate the key themes of the passage: the struggle against foreign control, the social unrest that fueled the rebellion, and its lasting effects on Chinese society and politics. Each choice reflects a critical aspect of the Boxer Rebellion's significance in history.

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