Question

read the excerpt from common sense.
\some massanello may hereafter arise, who, laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government may sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.\
in the excerpt, paine compares a deluge—a torrential downpour—to the actions of a group of men to illustrate their
○ force.
○ intentions.
○ numbers.
○ pride.

Explanation:

A deluge (torrential downpour) is a powerful natural event that can sweep things away with great force. Paine uses this metaphor to show how the group of men's actions would have a forceful impact on the liberties of the continent, not to illustrate intentions (what they plan to do, not the impact), numbers (a deluge isn't about quantity of people), or pride (no indication of arrogance). So the correct option is related to force.

Answer:

A. force