Quiz: Rights of Man

12 questions drawn at random. Score 80% for a silver medal.

1. On what, according to Paine, does the so-called credit of the English funding system really rest? The confidence of foreign merchants and Dutch lenders in the honesty of the English government The gold and silver held by the Bank of England against the notes it has issued The people’s willingness to pay the tax The landed estates of the nobility, pledged by Parliament as security for the debt
2. How does Paine describe the relation of war to governments and nations? War is a necessary evil that every nation consents to through its representatives War is the gaming table of governments, and nations the dupes of the game War is the punishment that heaven sends on idle, luxurious and corrupt nations War is the school in which nations learn liberty and courage
3. What youthful adventure does Paine recall in the chapter on ways and means? Signing on to a privateer, the Terrible, under Captain Death Sailing with Captain Cook to the South Seas as a ship’s boy Running away from Thetford to join the army in Flanders Working his passage to America as a cabin boy
4. Which ancient government does Paine single out as deserving more admiration than any other? The laws of Sparta The Roman republic The Persian monarchy The democracy of Athens
5. How does Paine describe toleration? As the counterfeit of intolerance, since both are despotisms As the first step towards full liberty of conscience for all sects As the special virtue of the English church As a right of the state that France has wisely kept for itself
6. What does Paine call “the most ridiculous and insolent of all tyrannies”? The vanity and presumption of governing beyond the grave The rule of a lawful monarch over a loyal people Government by priestcraft and superstition The tyranny of the majority over the minority
7. Which town does Paine say sends no members to Parliament although it has over sixty thousand inhabitants? The city of Bristol Manchester The borough of Old Sarum Westminster
8. Why, according to Paine, does the tax on beer brewed for sale not touch the aristocracy? They drink only imported wine Peers are legally exempt from all excise duties on drink The tax is refunded to landowners through the land-tax They brew their own beer, which is free of the duty
9. What does Paine say is the most that the service of any individual in public office can be worth? Five hundred pounds a year Whatever the nation chooses to vote One million pounds a year £10,000 a year
10. What does Paine say is the moving power of mixed government? Public opinion Honour Corruption Fear
11. In the preface to the French edition, how does Paine refer to George III? As the first magistrate of the English nation, chosen by it As the fountain of honour As the heir of William the Conqueror and his banditti of Normandy As the Elector of Hanover, sometimes called the King of England
12. What English example does Paine give to show where the Paris crowd learned to carry heads on spikes? The burning of Newgate in the riots of 1780 Heads displayed for years on Temple Bar Hangings and quarterings at Tyburn The beheading of Charles I

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