Read the excerpt from the The Crisis, Number!

Question

"Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take
place."

Which best describes Paine's use of figurative language in this excerpt?

A. Paine uses hyperbole to emphasize that there is strong colonial support for American independence.

B. Paine uses metaphor to illustrate why America must gain independence from Britain.

C. Paine uses hyperbole to describe the ways in which independence will benefit most of the colonists.

D. Paine uses metaphor to express the fact that the majority of colonists believe in American independence.

Answer 1

The best description of Paine's use of figurative language in the excerpt is:

A. Paine uses hyperbole to emphasize that there is strong colonial support for American independence.

This is because the phrase "Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes" exaggerates the idea that every person supports separation, highlighting the widespread sentiment for independence among the colonists.