TOEFL Sample Question
작성자
CLI 아카데미
작성일
2013-06-18 09:52
조회
4340
Read the following passage. Then fill in the diagram with the information that you read.
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativity
Ethnocentrism is defined as the interpretation of a culture based upon the standards of one’s own culture. Cultural relativity, on the other hand, seeks to interpret a culture based solely upon that culture’s standards. This is done with no attention given to other cultural interpretation for anthropologists.
Ethnocentrism is common both as a social and an anthropological means of interpretation. Generally, ethnocentrism is a universal phenomenon. For example, ethnocentrism can be seen in something as simple as an American citizen stating that the English drive on the “wrong” side of the road. By stating that the other side is wrong, this hypothetical citizen has judged another culture based upon that of the United State.
This becomes a more serious issue in anthropology when it affects the way entire cultures are represented. One well-known researcher accused of an ethnocentric view is Erich von Daniken, a Swiss author and archaeologist. Through his studies, von Daniken concluded that many historical societies, such as the ancient Egyptians, were not as advanced as other cultures. Therefore, he speculated, they could not have completed the Great Pyramids without assistance. This assistance, von Daniken claims, must have come from extraterrestrial beings.
Cultural relativism, on the other hand, essentially reverses the thought process of ethnocentrism. Thus, cultural judgments are based on the realization that there is no universal standard for culture. Cultures are distinctive and equal in term of value-a position many find difficult to adopt. Cultural relativism requires both knowledge and understanding of cultures, which involves extensive effort and study.
However, the problem is alleviated slightly within field of anthropology. Unlike the general public, anthropologists have the means to gain a deep understanding of cultures through their studies. Therefore, cultural relativism is more easily practiced. Returning to the ancient Egyptians, a cultural relativist would examine Egypt not in terms of the technology understood by one’s own culture, but only in terms of the Egyptian culture itself. Thus, one would accept that the Egyptians must have built the pyramids. The focus, then, becomes how they built them.
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Standard : a basic for judgment
Universal : applicable everywhere in the world
Hypothetical : imaginary; not real
Extraterrestrial : outside of Earth
Position : a set of views
Extensive : complete
Alleviate : to lessen the effects of
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Q. Based upon paragraphs 2 and 3, all of the following are true EXVEPT;
(A) Ethnocentrism is seen in non-anthropologic situations.
(B) Von Daniken believed aliens were present in ancient Egypt.
(C) Von Daniken was accused of being ethnocentric.
(D) There is no evidence to refute who built the pyramids.
A > (D) There is no evidence to refute who built the pyramids.