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The passage discusses how the idea of “natural rights” was understood in the 18th century. The author writes: “The American Revolution, fought to secure these very rights, relied on a conception of natural rights that was quite different from what was later articulated in the Declaration of Independence.” The most likely reason why the author includes this sentence is to

SAT · English · previous-year question

  1. A.to argue that the Declaration of Independence was a flawed document.
  2. B.to introduce the concept of natural rights as it was understood in the 18th century.
  3. C.to explain how the concept of natural rights changed over time.correct
  4. D.to suggest that the American Revolution was not about natural rights.

Answer

C. to explain how the concept of natural rights changed over time.

Explanation

The author is highlighting the difference in how the concept of natural rights was understood before the Declaration of Independence was written and afterward. This sentence introduces the idea of change, which is a key point in the passage.

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