Read the following section from “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, and answer the question that follows.

“The custom of all courts is against us, and will be so, until, by an independence, we take rank with other nations. These proceedings may at first appear strange and difficult; but, like all other steps which we have already passed over, will in a little time become familiar and agreeable; and, until an independence is declared, the Continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity.”

What is the main argument of this passage?
A) Courts must become independent of politics.
B) America must become independent of Britain
C) America must be divided.
D) Individual’s rights are ignored.

Read this passage: many manufacturers prefer plastic as a material for containers because it can be molded into many shapes. but plastic is not very strong. it must be fused with glass or steel for strength. it is also not very durable. even the strongest plastic can break under enough pressure. the biggest disadvantage to using plastic is that it does not decompose. while plastic can be recycled, doing so is tedious and difficult. while it may be more expensive and difficult to work with, aluminum is a much stronger building material with far greater tensile strength. it conducts electricity because it is metal. best of all, aluminum is very easy to recycle. even if it is thrown away, it decomposes much more quickly than most manufacturing materials. how does the compare-and-contrast organizational pattern of the passage support the author's purpose? a. the passage gradually leads up to the point about decomposition to inform the reader about the importance of recycling plastics. b. the passage lists the advantages and disadvantages of each material to make a case for the use of plastic and not aluminum in containers. c. the passage begins with a description of plastic's problems in order to call attention to the good qualities of aluminum. d. the passage shows the superiority of aluminum in order to make a case for the production of stronger plastics.

Which statement best explains the relationship between the gothic genre and the characterization in the passage? o the characterization of mr. hyde contrasts with the gloomy setting that is typical of gothic fiction. o the characterization of mr. hyde reflects the preoccupation with confined spaces in gothic fiction the characterization of mr. hyde create the cheerful mood that is typical of gothic fiction. the characterization of mr. hyde reflects the focus on horror and strong emotions in gothic fiction.

Select the correct answer. read this excerpt from "the lady of shalott" by alfred, lord tennyson. how is the isolation of the lady emphasized through the poem's settings? on either side the river lie long fields of barley and of rye, that clothe the wold and meet the sky and thro' the field the road runs by to many-towerd camelot and up and down the people go. gazing where the lilies blow round an island there below. the island of shalott a. she lives in a building that is not known to anyone b. while she lives in camelot, she cannot leave her tower c. the town has fields and roads, but she lives in a secluded tower d. she lives in a place that is far away from the road to camelot e. she is surrounded by gray stone walls in the tower reset next 2019 edmentum all rights reserved unit 4 activity-ec. docx a n ittarit