AnswersEnglish Language Arts 12Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

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

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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, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service. Which statement best describes Swift’s use of rhetorical devices in this excerpt?

A
Swift uses a false premise when he says that people of the kingdom are in “want of venison.”
B
Swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is “very worthy” and “a true lover of this country.”
C
Swift uses a false premise when he says the “gentlemen of the kingdom” have “destroyed their deer.”
D
Swift uses irony when he says “so great a number of both sexes” are in desperate need of “work and service.”
2
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Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child. On which false premise does this excerpt rely?

A
that a woman would be willing to breed children to sell
B
that a woman would be willing to take over her landlord’s business
C
that a woman would be willing to keep the children she bears
D
that a woman would be willing to pay her landlord rent
3

How does the title, "A Modest Proposal," tell the reader that the piece is satirical?

A
The author’s proposal is actually extreme and violent, not gentle as the title says.
B
The title shows that the author does not understand the truth about his proposal.
C
The author’s proposal is gentle and acceptable, just as the title indicates.
D
The title shows that the author believes people will accept and understand his proposal.
4

Which characteristics of satire are evident in "A Modest Proposal"? Choose three correct answers.

A
criticism of society
B
humor and ridicule
C
multiple points of view
D
serious language
E
verbal irony
5

Who is Swift ridiculing using satire in "A Modest Proposal"?

A
English government officials, who believed selling children to eat was a good idea
B
the English government, which seemed to care little about the Irish people
C
individuals who were underprivileged and had difficulty finding employment
D
children who were born into poverty and were not properly fed
6

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs. Which statement best describes Swift’s use of understatement in this excerpt?

A
He states that “roasting pigs” is more difficult than roasting children.
B
He states that sending children to the butcher would be as simple as “roasting pigs.”
C
He states that butchers would have a problem roasting a child “as we do roasting pigs.”
D
He states that butchers are always “wanting” for “roasting pigs.”
7

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: . . . Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers . . . What is most likely the purpose of this excerpt?

A
to shame the greedy people who have contributed to Ireland’s poverty instead of trying to help eradicate it
B
to show that other solutions to Ireland’s poverty are not as effective as the plan Swift puts forth in the proposal
C
to show that the wealthy members of society have tried to remedy Ireland’s poverty in many different ways
D
to shame those who are trapped in Ireland’s cycle of poverty for refusing to work harder for better lives
8

Which sentence from "A Modest Proposal" is the best example of satire?

A
Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed.
B
Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.
C
I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.
D
It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children.
9

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands. . . . Which false premise does the author rely on in this excerpt?

A
that parents would prefer to provide for their children instead of selling them
B
that parents would choose to disown their children instead of caring for them
C
that parents would rather sell their children than be responsible for them
D
that parents would value their children over an improved economy
10

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 author is using satire in this excerpt to emphasize the

A
utter absurdity of his plan.
B
ways that people are cruel to children.
C
various benefits of his plan.
D
necessity for warm winter clothing.

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