Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

Question 1

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: to grab the reader’s attention by using understatement to talk about brutal acts

Question 2

"a contradiction between what is said and what is really meant""the use of humor to emphasize the negative qualities of society""a description of something as being smaller or less than it really is""the use of an incorrect assumption that forms the basis of an argument"

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A: "a contradiction between what is said and what is really meant"

Question 3

What is the author’s purpose in writing "A Modest Proposal"?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: to draw attention to an issue that is plaguing his country

Question 4

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.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D: He states that sending children to the butcher would be as simple as “roasting pigs.”

Question 5

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D: to remind readers that each human being is valuable

Question 6

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.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: that a woman would be willing to breed children to sell

Question 7

Which characteristics of satire are evident in "A Modest Proposal"? Select three answer options.criticism of societyverbal ironymultiple points of viewhumor and ridiculeserious language

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A: criticism of society; B: verbal irony; D: humor and ridicule

Question 8

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.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: Swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is “very worthy” and “a true lover of this country.”

Question 9

What issue is Swift addressing in a satirical manner in "A Modest Proposal"?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: widespread poverty throughout Ireland

Question 10

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 man

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: to shame the greedy people who have contributed to Ireland’s poverty instead of trying to help eradicate it

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" Answers

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