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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 many years does Paine think the aristocracy or monarchy will last after the writing of his pamphlet?

2. How did the conquerors treat defeated enemies in the earliest known governments?

3. What point does Paine make about the rights of people to believe in events that took place?

4. How much was Washington compensated for his time as the first president?

5. Without a guarantee of a better life, how does Paine compare the lives of people in a civilized society with life in the wilderness?

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 does Paine believe is the general focus of any effective constitution?

4. What should civilized states be concerned about ?

5. 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?

6. What is the proof of God's existence that Paine also believes is a guide for people to live their lives?

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

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

9. What opinion does Paine have of people who believe and follow Christianity?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe what America is like after the revolution, the new government, why Paine believes it will succeed where others have failed, and the impact it has on the other countries of the world. Use examples from the end of The Crisis to support your analysis and explain why Paine is grateful to the revolution for his literary career.

Essay Topic 2

Describe in detail why it was necessary for America to separate from England and declare its independence. Also, list and explain each of the reasons why England was not capable of governing America along with the benefits that the United States will have as a result of establishing their own country.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Paine's theory from the beginning of The Crisis about how America should approach the war and the conditions that face the country. Include how Paine believes it will not be an easy war to win, why he thinks America will be victorious, and his general ideas about rewards in proportion to the effort it takes to earn them.

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This section contains 1,095 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample