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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. What is the English government's position on the French Revolution?

2. What does Paine wish America could have used against the British?

3. Why does England constantly need a foe to battle?

4. In the Introduction, what does Paine state about the thoughts of the book?

5. Whose sermon given to celebrate the anniversary of the English Revolution does Burke misrepresent?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Paine think that America will succeed on its own?

2. How does Paine recall the events surrounding George Washington's crossing of the Delaware?

3. What are the civil rights that Paine believes should be applied to government?

4. How does Burke misrepresent Dr. Price's speech and what is Paine's response?

5. What does Paine hope the English people will do as a result of reading Burke's pamphlets?

6. How does Paine describes Benjamin Franklin's historical role in the French Constitution?

7. What are the reasons Paine has in writing the Rights of Man and to whom is it presented?

8. How did the American army defeat General Howe?

9. Why does Paine write Common Sense anonymously and how does he think his work will be remembered?

10. What are the reasons Paine gives in support of America's Declaration of Independence?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Age of Reason features Paine's views of religion as he questions certain aspects of the different churches and practices.

1) Describe Paine's personal opinions about religion, churches, and which one he ascribes to.

2) Analyze Paine's description of revelation and the way it is referred to by different religions.

3) Explain some of the different examples of how Paine questions some of the tales in Christianity, and his general views on how Christians live their lives.

4) Describe why Paine has doubts about the authenticity of the Old and New Testaments, what he believes is the most important proof of God's existence, and what guide people should refer to when seeking God's advice or wishes.

Essay Topic 2

Paine writes about Agrarian Justice and the distribution of land in America.

1) Describe Paine's initial theory of how land should be given to people and why he believes it is impractical.

2) Explain how Paine considers land cultivation versus dispossession.

3) Analyze Paine's concluding plan for compensating people who he thinks have been cheated of their rightful inheritance.

Essay Topic 3

George Washington is considered by many to be the best example of what a leader should be and Paine refers to Washington's life on a number of occasions in his work.

1) Describe the significance of Washington's career in the military and how his desire to remain out of politics made him America's most qualified choice for the first President of the United States.

2) Explain why Washington received no monetary compensation for his service as president, and how his situation reflects the theory that Paine has about historical people and their financial rewards.

3) Analyze why Washington is still regarded so highly, the values that he represents, and why they are needed in any government.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,075 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample