Question

read the excerpt from thomas paine’s common sense and answer the question. the powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the king, he will have a negative over the whole legislation of this continent. and as he hath shown himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for arbitrary power, is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, “you shall make no laws but what i please.” and is there any inhabitant in america so ignorant, as not to know, that according to what is called the present constitution, that this continent can make no laws but what the king gives leave to; and is there any man so unwise, as not to see, that (considering what has happened) he will suffer no law to be made here, but such as suit his purpose. what was paine’s argument? a. paine argued that the colonies should not revolt against the english because the king made just laws that colonies were unwilling to enact themselves. b. paine argued that the colonies should not revolt against the english because the constitution protected the colonists from the abuses of the king. c. paine argued that the colonies must be willing to fight for their independence or else they would always be subject to the arbitrary laws of the king. d. paine argued that the colonies must be willing to fight for their independence or else they would not be permitted to remain living in north america.

Explanation:

Thomas Paine's excerpt emphasizes that the king, as an enemy of liberty with a thirst for arbitrary power, controls the colonies' lawmaking—only allowing laws that serve his own purposes. This frames the king's authority as oppressive, making the case that the colonies must seek independence to escape being subject to his unfair, arbitrary rule. Options A and B are incorrect because they argue against revolt, which contradicts Paine's message. Option D is incorrect as the excerpt does not mention being barred from living in North America.

Answer:

C. Paine argued that the colonies must be willing to fight for their independence or else they would always be subject to the arbitrary laws of the king.