Read this excerpt from The Crisis, Number 1, by Thomas Paine. "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."

Which is the best way to paraphrase the underlined portion of the excerpt?

a. I believe that
b. I fear that
c. I know that
d. I am not sure that

A

Explanation:

B says 'I fear that' but the excerpt is saying that he has little superstition, and talks about God not leaving people off to die unsupportedly, so it cant be that right? C says 'I know that' again, he can't know, superstition doesnt mean he knows so cross that off. D says 'I am not sure that' he isnt sure, but his hope is very big, bigger than being unsure. The only answer left is A.

hey there,

your answer is a) today we hope for clear skies.

let's look at the word(s) progressive verb. progressive means its happening right now. it is not going to happen and it has not already happened. it is happening right now. the sentence "today we hope" in option a is an example of a progressing verb. they are hoping right now. options b, c and d are not progressing verbs. they contain the words have, roared and will be. those words tell us that it has either happened or will happen. a is your answer.

best of luck,

- i.a. -