AnswersLanguage Arts 12Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" (Continued)

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" (Continued) — Quiz Answers

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Which best describes Swift’s purpose for writing "A Modest Proposal"?

A
to criticize England’s treatment of the Irish with the hope of bringing about societal change
B
to thoroughly explain his proposal with the hope of solving the problem of poverty in England
C
to entertain readers with a humorous tale with the hope of creating laughter during a dark time
D
to inform society of a serious issue with the hope of inspiring impoverished people to find jobs
2
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Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever. Which sentence best paraphrases the passage?

A
Swift argues that poverty-stricken people have been oppressed and mistreated by landlords for being unable to pay rent with either money or traded goods.
B
Swift maintains that, if asked, people who have lived in poverty their entire lives would say that they would rather have been sold for food at one year of age.
C
Swift states that adults who have grown up in poverty have experienced a sequence of misfortunes, such as being unable to obtain food or clothing.
D
Swift challenges politicians to ask adults who have been raised in poverty questions before criticizing his proposal to help impoverished people.
3

Which are main ideas of Swift’s "A Modest Proposal"? Choose three correct answers.

A
The practice of eating impoverished children would benefit the poor, the wealthy, and the English economy.
B
Those who constantly breed would have to care for their children for only one year before selling them for a profit.
C
Men would take better care of their pregnant wives because they would not want to do anything to cause a miscarriage.
D
Swift maintains that his solution to end poverty in England is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective proposal thus far made.
E
People could solve the problem of poverty in England by breeding, selling, and eating its impoverished children.
4

In "A Modest Proposal," why does Swift intentionally use false premises as a basis for his arguments?

A
to suggest that his proposal is truly genuine
B
to prove that he has made some valid points
C
to lighten a serious topic with playful humor
D
to signal that he is actually writing a satire
5

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture. Which answer best paraphrases the excerpt?

A
England will save a great deal of money because they will not have to maintain the cost of raising poor children. The money will circulate amongst themselves.
B
Swift argues that caring for thousands of children will cost more than ten shillings a piece each year. His proposal to eat the children would increase the circulation of money by fifty thousand pounds yearly and strengthen England’s economy.
C
Swift states that wealthy gentlemen with good taste will now have a new dish to buy and consume at mealtimes.
D
Breeding, selling, and eating impoverished children will benefit the people of England in more than one way.
6

Question text not available

Answer:

criticize

7

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown. Which statement quotes Swift’s claim that the poor will also benefit from his proposal?

A
“Swift writes that poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress.”
B
Swift writes that “poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own” that can “help to pay their landlord’s rent.”
C
Swift writes that poorer tenants will finally have something to help pay their landlord’s rent since they have neither money nor trade.
D
Swift writes that poorer tenants will have something to trade for rent since “their corn and cattle” have already been seized.
8

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen. The false premise in this excerpt is that

A
some people in England were suffering from poverty and hunger.
B
people would be willing to use the skin of children to make clothing.
C
some women wore gloves and some men wore summer boots.
D
people sometimes spend less during times of economic hardship.
9

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing. Which statement effectively uses a quotation to relate Swift’s claim that he has no personal motive for making this proposal?

A
Swift explains that his new proposal will result in both “relieving the poor” and “giving some pleasure to the rich.”
B
Swift states that his youngest child is nine years old and that his wife is currently past child-bearing.
C
Swift writes that he does not stand to make any financial gain from the adoption of his proposed plan.
D
According to Swift, he has “not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work.”
10

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." A very worthy person , a true lover of his country , and whose virtues I highly esteem , was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens. The underlined portions of the excerpt are examples of verbal irony because

A
this man truly is virtuous and patriotic, so Swift is surprised by the man’s support of eating children to solve the poverty issue.
B
anyone who is truly virtuous or patriotic would not suggest using children for food, so Swift means the opposite of what he says.
C
this man is a close friend of Swift’s, so Swift is just expressing his personal thoughts and feelings about the man’s character.
D
anyone who tries to better his country must be virtuous and patriotic, so Swift is simply explaining what is already obvious to the reader.

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