AnswersAZ-English Language Arts 12 A-CRCentral Ideas and Context: Utopia

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

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1
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In "A Modest Proposal," why does Swift intentionally use false premises as a basis for his arguments?

A
to signal that he is actually writing a satire
B
to suggest that his proposal is truly genuine
C
to lighten a serious topic with playful humor
D
to prove that he has made some valid points
2
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Which are main ideas of Swift’s "A Modest Proposal"? Select three options.People could solve the problem of poverty in England by breeding, selling, and eating its impoverished children.The practice of eating impoverished children would benefit the poor, the wealthy, and the English economy.Those who constantly breed would have to care for their children for only one year before selling them for a profit.Men would take better care of their pregnant wives because they would not want to do anything to cause a miscarriage.Swift maintains that his solution to end poverty in England is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective proposal thus far made.

A
People could solve the problem of poverty in England by breeding, selling, and eating its impoverished children.
B
The practice of eating impoverished children would benefit the poor, the wealthy, and the English economy.
C
Those who constantly breed would have to care for their children for only one year before selling them for a profit.
D
Men would take better care of their pregnant wives because they would not want to do anything to cause a miscarriage.
E
Swift maintains that his solution to end poverty in England is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective proposal thus far made.
3

What should a complete and effective summary of "A Modest Proposal" include? Select three options.a paraphrase of the main ideas in “A Modest Proposal”details about Swift’s personal life and career as a writeran explanation of the meaning and purpose of the satirethe writer’s opinion about Swift’s essay and political beliefssome quotations that serve as evidence of Swift’s ideas

A
a paraphrase of the main ideas in “A Modest Proposal”
B
details about Swift’s personal life and career as a writer
C
an explanation of the meaning and purpose of the satire
D
the writer’s opinion about Swift’s essay and political beliefs
E
some quotations that serve as evidence of Swift’s ideas
4

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.

A
Swift states that his youngest child is nine years old and that his wife is currently past child-bearing.
B
According to Swift, he has “not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work.”
C
Swift explains that his new proposal will result in both “relieving the poor” and “giving some pleasure to the rich.”
D
Swift writes that he does not stand to make any financial gain from the adoption of his proposed plan.
5

criticizeexplainsupportapplaud

A
criticize
B
explain
C
support
D
applaud
6

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.

A
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.
B
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.
C
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.
D
Swift challenges politicians to ask adults who have been raised in poverty questions before criticizing his proposal to help impoverished people.
7

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.

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.
8

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

A
to thoroughly explain his proposal with the hope of solving the problem of poverty in England
B
to inform society of a serious issue with the hope of inspiring impoverished people to find jobs
C
to entertain readers with a humorous tale with the hope of creating laughter during a dark time
D
to criticize England’s treatment of the Irish with the hope of bringing about societal change
10

Read the statement about Swift’s "A Modest Proposal."In "A Modest Proposal,” Swift also implies that the Irish themselves have not done enough to improve conditions for their poor.

A
subjective because it is influenced by feelings or opinions.
B
subjective because it is not influenced by feelings or opinions.
C
objective because it is influenced by feelings or opinions.
D
objective because it is not influenced by feelings or opinions.

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Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal"…