1

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

A

England’s willingness to help the Irish people

B

lack of employment opportunities in England

C

widespread poverty throughout Ireland

D

Ireland’s refusal to acknowledge England’s power

2

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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 . . .

A

to show that his plan to sell children is the most reasonable plan that has been put forth

B

to show that society is already asking too much of wealthy individuals

C

to show that real reform is possible with reasonable sacrifice

D

to show that there are many other people who are trying to bring about reform

3

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.

A

to remind readers that his plan is very cost effective

B

to show that implementing the plan would not disrupt daily life

C

to show that most people value human life too much

D

to remind readers that each human being is valuable

4

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

A

"the contradiction between what is said and what is really meant"

B

"a description of something as being smaller or less than it really is"

C

"the use of humor to emphasize the negative qualities of society"

D

"an incorrect assumption that forms the basis of an argument"

5

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

A

The author’s proposal is gentle and acceptable, just as the title indicates.

B

The title shows that the author does not understand the truth about his proposal.

C

The author’s proposal is actually extreme and violent, not gentle as the title says.

D

The title shows that the author believes people will accept and understand his proposal.

6

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.

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 “so great a number of both sexes” are in desperate need of “work and service.”

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.”

D

Swift uses a false premise when he says the “gentlemen of the kingdom” have “destroyed their deer.”

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 . . .

A

to shame the greedy people who have contributed to Ireland’s poverty instead of trying to help eradicate it

B

to shame those who are trapped in Ireland’s cycle of poverty for refusing to work harder for better lives

C

to show that other solutions to Ireland’s poverty are not as effective as the plan Swift puts forth in the proposal

D

to show that the wealthy members of society have tried to remedy Ireland’s poverty in many different ways

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

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

A

children who were born into poverty and were not properly fed

B

the English government, which seemed to care little about the Irish people

C

individuals who were underprivileged and had difficulty finding employment

D

English government officials, who believed selling children to eat was a good idea

10

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.

A

that a woman would be willing to pay her landlord rent

B

that a woman would be willing to breed children to sell

C

that a woman would be willing to keep the children she bears

D

that a woman would be willing to take over her landlord’s business

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" Answers

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