Question

select the correct answer.
what argument does the author anticipate and indirectly refute in this excerpt from the declaration of independence?
in every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. a prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
a. the colonists are suffering only because of their lack of representation in parliament.
b. if the colonists are suffering, they need to first submit a petition to parliament.
c. the colonists have no right to oppose the laws and taxes levied by the king of england.
d. parliament has no involvement in the matters of the american colonies.

Explanation:

The excerpt from the Declaration of Independence talks about how repeated petitions for redress were met with repeated injury, showing the king is a tyrant unfit to rule free people. The argument being refuted here is likely the idea that colonists should first submit a petition (option B), as the text shows petitions were made but ignored, so the colonists' actions of opposing are justified because their petitions (the supposed "first step" of option B) were not heeded and instead met with injury. Option A is incorrect as the excerpt doesn't focus on representation as the sole reason for suffering. Option C is incorrect as the excerpt is about the king's tyranny, not colonists' right to oppose laws/taxes. Option D is incorrect as the excerpt is about the king, not Parliament's involvement.

Answer:

B. If the colonists are suffering, they need to first submit a petition to Parliament.