Question
Common Sense
by Thomas Paine
In order to gain a clear and just idea of the design and end of government, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest, they will then represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world. In this state of natural liberty, society will be their first thought. A thousand motives will excite them thereto, the strength of one man is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief of another, who in his turn requires the same. Four or five united would be able to raise a tolerable dwelling in the midst of a wilderness, but one man might labour out of the common period of life without accomplishing any thing; when he had felled his timber he could not remove it, nor erect it after it was removed; hunger in the mean time would urge him from his work, and every different want call him a different way. Disease, nay even misfortune would be death, for though neither might be mortal, yet either would disable him from living, and reduce him toa state in which he might rather be said to perish than to die.
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
Question
Use this passage from “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine to answer the question.
Which best describes the purpose of the passage?
(1 point)
Responses
to criticize the previous ways of governing a country
to criticize the previous ways of governing a country
to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical
to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical
to compare proper and improper ways of starting a society
to compare proper and improper ways of starting a society
to explain the solitary nature of human beings
by Thomas Paine
In order to gain a clear and just idea of the design and end of government, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest, they will then represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world. In this state of natural liberty, society will be their first thought. A thousand motives will excite them thereto, the strength of one man is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief of another, who in his turn requires the same. Four or five united would be able to raise a tolerable dwelling in the midst of a wilderness, but one man might labour out of the common period of life without accomplishing any thing; when he had felled his timber he could not remove it, nor erect it after it was removed; hunger in the mean time would urge him from his work, and every different want call him a different way. Disease, nay even misfortune would be death, for though neither might be mortal, yet either would disable him from living, and reduce him toa state in which he might rather be said to perish than to die.
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
Question
Use this passage from “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine to answer the question.
Which best describes the purpose of the passage?
(1 point)
Responses
to criticize the previous ways of governing a country
to criticize the previous ways of governing a country
to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical
to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical
to compare proper and improper ways of starting a society
to compare proper and improper ways of starting a society
to explain the solitary nature of human beings
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best description of the purpose of the passage is:
**to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical.**
In this excerpt, Paine discusses the necessity of cooperation and support among individuals to establish a functioning society and highlights the reasons why government is needed in a community setting.
**to illustrate the purpose of government using a hypothetical.**
In this excerpt, Paine discusses the necessity of cooperation and support among individuals to establish a functioning society and highlights the reasons why government is needed in a community setting.