On December 23, 1776, while the American colonies were at war with Great Britain, Thomas Paine issued the first of a series of pamphlets on the colonies' struggle for independence.

Question

adapted from The American Crisis
by Thomas Paine

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods. It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument. My own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own. We have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe* has been doing for this month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys, a year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover.
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent.

* William Howe, Commander in Chief of the British forces, led the campaign for the British to capture New York and New Jersey. The British won control of New York, but the Americans kept control of New Jersey.
5
How does the author develop the idea that great causes are worth fighting for?
A.
by contrasting the calamities of war to the benefits of having independence
B.
by describing the possible consequence of failing to resist oppression
C.
by explaining how his ideas are grounded in reality instead of superstition
D.
by presenting a case why the colonists' cause could be quickly resolved

Answer 1

The author develops the idea that great causes are worth fighting for primarily:

B. by describing the possible consequence of failing to resist oppression.

In the excerpt, Paine emphasizes the dire situation the colonies face under British tyranny and suggests that not standing up against oppression would lead to a form of slavery. He argues that such a state of being bound by tyranny is worse than death and presents the struggle for independence as a noble cause that must be fought for to avoid the greater calamity of oppression.