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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How well were Paine's views on religion known when Age of Reason was written?

2. How should people self-impose laws in order to exist harmoniously in the absence of government?

3. What claim does Paine make about cultivation?

4. According to Paine, what should each man strive for?

5. What season does Paine use in the metaphor that ends the second part of the Rights of Man?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Paine's writing style throughout Common Sense and his other collected works, and how will Paine be remembered?

2. What bold prediction does Paine make about the future of the monarchy and why?

3. What example of an uncivilized society does Paine use in Agrarian Justice?

4. What are Paine's religious views when writing Age of Reason?

5. What is the historical significance of the life of Jesus?

6. What issue does Paine address concerning the Old and New Testaments?

7. What is Paine's belief about land distribution at birth and why does he think it is impractical?

8. What are some of the doubts Paine expresses about prophecies?

9. What are the two reasons why Paine waited before writing and releasing the Rights of Man, Part II?

10. What should civilized states be concerned about ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the deception that England uses with its people during the French Revolution. Why did the English government publicly support the war and how did their actions indicate their lack of support? What are the ways England increases the revenue to the government by using wars or conflicts with other countries? What happens when it appears that England and France might reconcile, and how does England make sure it has another country to dispute? Why do the actions of the English government confirm Paine's negative description of it throughout his works?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Paine's letter to General Howe by including answers to the following:

1) Why does Paine write to Howe and what is the purpose of his letter?

2) What are some examples of Howe's mistakes and lack of skills in the war, and why did Paine consider him to be incapable of gaining a victory except by accident?

3) How does America defeat Howe and cause him to surrender?

4) In what way does Howe's approach to the war depict the difference in the mentality of each country involved?

5) What were America's reasons for fighting in the American Revolution and why was England unable to understand them?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the Rights of Man, Paine explains the differences between the three origins of government and provides a comparison of the English Constitution and the French Constitution.

1) Define the government of priesthood, the government of conquerors, and the government of reason, including the differences in how they work.

2) Compare and contrast the English Constitution with the French Constitution, and describe how Paine refers to both in his theory of how a government should be formed.

3) Explain the influence that America had on the French Constitution and why Paine considers it to be better than the English Constitution.

(see the answer keys)

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