Final answer:
The statement regarding a surety's obligation to merely promise to perform the principal's agreed tasks is false, as it involves a legal commitment to assume responsibility under certain conditions. Likewise, the claim that Proprietors in a proprietary colony only collected profits is false, as they held broader responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question is B. False. A surety's obligation is not simply a promise to do what the principal agreed to do; it is actually a legal commitment to assume responsibility for the debt, default, or failure in duty of the principal in the event that the principal fails to fulfill the agreed terms. This is similar to how one may have a duty of fidelity to keep promises, as indicated by philosopher W.D. Ross, where he suggests that certain obligations may take precedence over others in the real world, as in the case where a moral duty overwhelms a prior commitment. In the context of suretyship, the focus is more on the surety's assuming the risk and obligation, rather than merely promising to follow through on what the principal has initially agreed to.
Regarding question 2, the answer is also B. False. In a proprietary colony, the Proprietors had more responsibilities than just collecting profits. They were typically responsible for managing the colony's affairs, which included establishing and maintaining a government, appointing officials, defining laws, and overseeing the welfare of the colonists. Therefore, suggesting that their only role was profit collection is not correct.