Question

question 1-7
read the passage below, and answer the question that follows.

in china, besides in indostan, and in several other governments of asia, the revenue of the sovereign arises almost altogether from a land tax or land rent, which rises and falls with the rise and fall of the annual produce of the land... but the revenue of the sovereign does not, in any part of europe, arise chiefly from a land tax or land rent. in all the great kingdoms of europe, perhaps, the greater part of it may ultimately depend upon the produce of the land: but that dependency is neither so immediate, nor so evident.

source: adam smith, the wealth of nations, book 5 chapter 2, 1776

which alternative source of non - land revenue for european monarchs is referenced in the passage?

○ clerics
○ colonies
○ factories
○ merchants

Explanation:

The passage compares revenue sources of sovereigns in Asia (land tax/rent) and Europe (where land - based revenue isn't the chief source). We need to find a non - land revenue source for European monarchs. Let's analyze the options:

• "Clerics" are related to the church and not a revenue source.
• "Calories" are a unit of energy, not a revenue source.
• "Factories" are production units, not a typical revenue source for monarchs.
• "Merchants" are involved in trade. In the context of historical European monarchies, trade (from merchants) was a significant non - land revenue source. The passage implies that European monarchs' revenue has a less direct dependence on land, and trade (via merchants) is a plausible alternative.

Answer:

D. merchants