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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 does Paine think is odd about the conversation between Eve and Satan?

2. On which concept was the old Whig party based?

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

4. To what does Paine compare kings?

5. On which concept is the new Whig party based?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Paine's writing style throughout Common Sense and his other collected works, and how will Paine be remembered?

3. What is Paine's theory on how people who have been cheated of their land inheritance should be compensated?

4. What are some of the doubts Paine expresses about prophecies?

5. What is Paine's belief about land distribution at birth and why does he think it is impractical?

6. What are the two reasons why Paine waited before writing and releasing the Rights of Man, Part II?

7. What is impressive about the way George Washington became the first president of the United States of America and the way he was compensated?

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

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

10. What question does Paine pose to Burke after a comment made by Burke during a speech in Canada?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the major differences between a natural state and a civilized state, including the benefits of each, and how Paine thinks they should both be incorporated into a government. Provide a detailed analysis of the goals a civilized society has and examples of why the equality of birth is essential to a society's growth.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the differences between society and government as Paine refers to them in the Introduction. Use the examples that Paine provides and your analysis to explain the roles of each of them in a successful country, why and when a society needs a government, and what the priority of the elected officials in that government should be.

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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