1. Read this sentence from the passage. George hesitated, and said he did not believe it was strong enough, for it had
been frozen over only one night.
How does this statement impact the plot of the passage?
a. It defines the problem that George and the boys face
b. It describes the conflict between George and his parents
c. It shows how the other characters are affected by George
d. It explains how the boys come to a resolution

This is easily A

Explanation:

A: It shows that the conflict is how the ice had only frozen one night, and there was no way to tell if it was strong enough. This presents a problem because if it is not strong enough then the ice may crack.      

paine is arguying that they had tried everything before coming to the conclusion that they needed to fight for their freedom.

argument: "every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual."

claim 1: "our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in kings more than repeated petitioning and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the kings of europe absolute."

claim 2: "wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for god’s sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child."

fond of fighting is the answer