Question

reading from common sense
and is there any inhabitant in america so ignorant, as not to know... that this continent can make no laws but what the king gives it leave to; and is there any man so unwise, as not to see, that... he will suffer no law to be made here, but such as suit his purpose.
—thomas paine,
common sense,
1776
which statement best explains what paine says about the king?
○ he puts the interests of the colonists before his own when approving laws.
○ he allows the colonies to make their own laws.
○ he will only approve laws that are in his and great britain’s best interest.
○ he allows new laws to be made in the colonies.

Explanation:

The quote from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" implies that the king only approves laws that serve his purpose (and by extension, Great Britain's best interest, as the king represents Britain). Let's analyze each option:

• First option: The quote doesn't suggest the king prioritizes colonists' interests before his own.
• Second option: The quote says the colonists can't make laws the king doesn't approve, so he doesn't allow them to make their own laws freely.
• Third option: The quote states "he will suffer no law to be unwise, as not to see, that... he will suffer no law to be made here, but such as suit his purpose" which aligns with him approving laws that suit his (and Great Britain's) purpose.
• Fourth option: The quote shows the king restricts law - making in the colonies, not that he allows new laws freely.

Answer:

He will only approve laws that are in his and Great Britain’s best interest.