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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Paine describe life in an uncivilized culture?

2. Which Indians does Paine use as an example in Agrarian Justice?

3. What term refers to a property that does not need to be maintained by the owner?

4. How many people are born equal in a natural state?

5. What does Paine believe is possible with some of the cultures that are considered uncivilized?

Short Essay Questions

1. What bold prediction does Paine make about the future of the monarchy and why?

2. Why does Paine have a favorable opinion of the Marquis de La Fayette and what is the one area where the two differ?

3. How does Paine handle the responses to the Rights of Man by Burke and others?

4. Does Paine think that a natural state and civilized state are exchangeable?

5. What issue does Paine address concerning the Old and New Testaments?

6. What is the concept of land ownership and rent owned, and how does it compare to the approach to land that people had in ancient times?

7. What are Paine's thoughts on the Immaculate Conception and the Resurrection?

8. How are all people born in a natural state, and what does Paine think the responsibility of a civilized state is?

9. How does Paine feel about the bad laws that exist and whether to follow them?

10. What is the difference between democracy and representation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the rivalry between Paine and Burke as it is chronicled in the Rights of Man. Include how the two were once allies, what caused them to be on opposite sides, and the differences between both of their motives. Also, describe Paine's intentions with the Rights of Man and the advantages he has over Burke in his writings.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Thomas Paine's life and background, including where he is originally from and what his reputation was before, during, and after writing Common Sense. Also, discuss Paine's motives in writing his pamphlets and the reasons that he chose to remain anonymous at the time. Finally, use the information in Paine's work to explain why he believed strongly in the American Revolution and how his experiences qualified him to chronicle the events as America declared Independence.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the deception that England uses with its people during the French Revolution. Why did the English government publicly support the war and how did their actions indicate their lack of support? What are the ways England increases the revenue to the government by using wars or conflicts with other countries? What happens when it appears that England and France might reconcile, and how does England make sure it has another country to dispute? Why do the actions of the English government confirm Paine's negative description of it throughout his works?

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