阅读理解(Reading Comprehension)
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at Shadwell in Albemarle County, Virginia.A member of the Continental Congress(大陆会议),he was the author of the Declaration of Independence(独立宣言)at the age of 33.
After American independence was won.Jefferson worked for the revision(修改)of the laws of his home state of Virginia.to make them accordant with(符合)the spirit of freedoms in the new Constitution of the United States.
Although he had drafted(起草)the state's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom(宗教自由法案)in 1777, it was not passed in the state.In January 1786, the bill was reintroduced and, with the support of James Madison, passed as An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom.
In the election of 1800, Jefferson defeated his old friend John Adams to become the third president of the new United States.The last years of his life were spent in retirement at Monticello, during which period he founded, designed, and directed the building of the University of Virginia.
Jurist(法学家),diplomat(外交家),writer, philosopher, architect(建筑师),gardener, Thomas Jefferson requested that only three of his many accomplishments be noted on his tomb:
Author of the Declaration of American Independence
Author of the Virginia Statute(法令)for Religious Freedom
And Father of the University of Virginia
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