Question

Which sentence in the excerpt supports the claim that the American colonies could thrive independently from Britain? A) I have heard it asserted by some, that as America hath flourished under her former connection with Great Britain that the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect.
B) We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty.

C) But even this is admitting more than is true, for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her.

D) The commerce, by which she hath enriched herself, are the necessaries of life, and will always have a market while eating is the custom of Europe.

Answer 1

C) But even this is admitting more than is true, for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her.

In Option C, Paine is stating that America would actually have been better off if it was not controlled by Britain. He says that being under British control actually hindered America's progress and kept it from flourishing even more. Options A and B both give arguments for America needing Britain in order to thrive. In Option A it states that a connection with Britain is important for America to maintain its happiness. In Option B it compares America to a child. It states that if a child can survive on milk alone then it should never have meat. Therefore America should only need Britain. We can tell Paine sees this as preposterous, but this initial idea does not support the claim. Option D shows how America will always have commerce but Britain is only concerned with eating. This alone is not enough for strong evidence.

Answer 2

Answer:

C) But even this is admitting more than is true, for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her.