AnswersAL-English Language Arts 11 Critical StandardsJonathan Edwards’s "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Thomas Paine Answers

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Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“There are injuries which nature cannot forgive; she would cease to be nature if she did.”Paine uses this language to show that

A
the king deserves punishment for his behavior toward the colonies.
B
the king’s oppressive actions against the colonies are inexcusable.
C
the colonists will mend their relationship with the king if he promises them independence.
D
the colonies will eventually heal from the wounds inflicted by the king.
3

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.” What is the purpose of the words “simple,” plain,” and “common”?

A
to persuade readers of his point of view
B
to encourage only serious readers to continue
C
to demonstrate his impressive intellect
D
to appeal to as large an audience as possible
5

Read the excerpt from the The Crisis, Number I.“Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place.”Which best describes Paine’s use of figurative language in this excerpt?

A
Paine uses hyperbole to emphasize that there is strong colonial support for American independence.
B
Paine uses metaphor to illustrate why America must gain independence from Britain.
C
Paine uses hyperbole to describe the ways in which independence will benefit most of the colonists.
D
Paine uses metaphor to express the fact that the majority of colonists believe in American independence.
6

Which excerpt from The Crisis, Number I contains a simile?

A
"These are the times that try men's souls."
B
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered."
C
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly."
D
"It is dearness only that gives everything its value."
7

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have faith . . . is madness and folly.”Paine uses the words “madness and folly” to emphasize that the colonists

A
are not allowed to have a positive relationship with Britain.
B
must continue to try to build a relationship with the king.
C
are unwise in attempting to achieve a positive relationship with Britain.
D
must be careful in their dealings with the king because he has gone mad.
8

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I."My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light."Paine most likely uses this language to convince his audience that

A
he is completely confident in his reasoning.
B
his reasoning is supported by many others.
C
his reasoning is influenced by the laws of nature.
D
their reasoning is flawed if they disagree with him.
9

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I."The heart that feels not is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole and made them happy."What is the purpose of the figurative language in this excerpt?

A
to evoke in the audience admiration for those who aid and comfort the needy
B
to evoke in the audience concern for the safety of children and loved ones
C
to evoke in the audience shame for placing self-preservation above the good of the community
D
to evoke in the audience anger at children who disrespect the authority of their parents
10

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I. "I call not upon a few but upon all—not on this state or that state, but on every state—up and help us. . . . Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and repulse it."Paine's purpose in issuing this plea is to

A
draw attention to the differences that exist among colonists from different states.
B
unite the colonists in support of continuing the fight for independence.
C
encourage the colonists to wait for better times in the spring.
D
warn the colonists of the danger of a British attack during the winter months.
11

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have faith . . . is madness and folly.”Paine uses the words “madness and folly” to emphasize that the colonists

A
are not allowed to have a positive relationship with Britain.
B
must continue to try to build a relationship with the king.
C
are unwise in attempting to achieve a positive relationship with Britain.
D
must be careful in their dealings with the king because he has gone mad.
12

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“Every day wears out the little remains of kindred between us and them, and can there be any reason to hope, that as the relationship expires, the affection will increase, or that we shall agree better, when we have ten times more and greater concerns to quarrel over than ever?”The word “expires” tells the reader that Paine believed the colonies’ separation from Britain was

A
inevitable.
B
concerning.
C
dangerous.
D
fixable.
13

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I.“’Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.”Which best describes the purpose of this excerpt?

A
to explain Paine’s moral justification for the war
B
to inspire colonists to join the fight for independence
C
to encourage colonists to consider a peaceful solution
D
to emphasize the hardships that come with fighting for a cause
14

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“There are injuries which nature cannot forgive; she would cease to be nature if she did.”Paine uses this language to show that

A
the king deserves punishment for his behavior toward the colonies.
B
the king’s oppressive actions against the colonies are inexcusable.
C
the colonists will mend their relationship with the king if he promises them independence.
D
the colonies will eventually heal from the wounds inflicted by the king.
15

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I. "I am as confident as I am that God governs the world that America will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars without ceasing will break out till that period arrives, and the continent must in the end be conqueror; for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire."Paine uses metaphor to demonstrate that

A
the colonists will never know true joy.
B
the fight for independence is never-ending.
C
the concept of freedom will never cease to exist.
D
Britain will never stop pursuing control of the colonies.
16

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I. "I call not upon a few but upon all—not on this state or that state, but on every state—up and help us. . . . Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and repulse it."Paine's purpose in issuing this plea is to

A
draw attention to the differences that exist among colonists from different states.
B
unite the colonists in support of continuing the fight for independence.
C
encourage the colonists to wait for better times in the spring.
D
warn the colonists of the danger of a British attack during the winter months.
17

In paragraph three of Common Sense, why does Paine use the phrases "precariousness of human affairs," "while we have it in our power," and "time and chance"?

A
to evoke in colonists a fear of fighting against a world superpower
B
to evoke in colonists the need for urgency in their quest for independence
C
to instill in colonists a desire to take up arms against their oppressor
D
to instill in colonists a respect for peaceful negotiations
18

Read the excerpt from Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense."Every day wears out the little remains of kindred between us and them, and can there be any reason to hope, that as the relationship expires, the affection will increase, or that we shall agree better, when we have ten times more and greater concerns to quarrel over than ever?Paine’s use of phrases such as “little remains,” “relationship expires,” and “quarrel over” suggest that his purpose is to

A
repair the relationship between Britain and the colonies
B
inspire the colonies to progress without British support
C
evoke a war between Britain and the colonies
D
address British issues within the colonies
19

Read the excerpt from Common Sense.“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.” What is the purpose of the words “simple,” plain,” and “common”?

A
to persuade readers of his point of view
B
to encourage only serious readers to continue
C
to demonstrate his impressive intellect
D
to appeal to as large an audience as possible

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