Question

the british would pass a law. the americans would protest, possibly riot, and establish boycotts that affected british merchants. the british merchants would then pressure parliament to repeal or reduce the law. which of the following best describes the lesson american colonists learned from this pattern?
that parliament was determined to destroy the american colonies, even if it meant the british government went bankrupt
that by continuing to resist, the colonists could get the british government to always back down
that the french were using espionage to agitate parliament into passing these laws
that parliament considered the colonial legislatures as equals

Explanation:

The pattern shows that when Americans protested laws (through rioting and boycotts), British merchants pressured Parliament to repeal or reduce the law. This implies that resistance could lead to the British government changing its stance. The other options are not supported by the described pattern. There is no indication Parliament wanted to destroy the colonies, no mention of French espionage, and Parliament did not consider colonial legislatures as equals.

Answer:

That by continuing to resist, the colonists could get the British government to always back down