Which piece of textual evidence BEST supports the author's purpose? A. "it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, and to assume among the powers of the earth" B. "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change" C. "that from that equal creation they derive in rights inherent and inalienables, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness" D. "it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government"

Question

GPT-4o mini · Answer

To determine which piece of textual evidence best supports the author's purpose, we should consider the context of the author's message. The text appears to refer to themes of independence, the right to self-governance, and the justification for political change.

A. This option speaks to the necessity of advancing from a subordinate position, aligning with the idea of independence.

B. This option emphasizes the importance of communicating the reasons for change, suggesting a democratic approach to governance.

C. This option outlines the inherent rights derived from creation, which are foundational to arguments for individual freedoms and just government.

D. This option directly states that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish their government, encapsulating the revolutionary spirit and the right to self-determination.

Among these, D most clearly reflects the author's purpose of advocating for the ability of the people to institute change when their current government is not serving them. It emphasizes the right to alter or abolish a government, which is central to arguments for independence and governance by the people. Therefore, the best piece of evidence to support the author's purpose is:

D. "it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government."