Answers HSA 26-27 English IV A -ICIntroduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" Answers

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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.

to highlight to the reader that the government would likely agree with his plan

to emphasize that he is serious about implementing his plan

to show the reader that his plan is reasonable and no cause for alarm

to grab the reader’s attention by using understatement to talk about brutal acts

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

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

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

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

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

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

England’s willingness to help the Irish people

lack of employment opportunities in England

widespread poverty throughout Ireland

Ireland’s refusal to acknowledge England’s power

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"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"

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. . . .

that parents would choose to disown their children instead of caring for them

that parents would value their children over an improved economy

that parents would rather sell their children than be responsible for them

that parents would prefer to provide for their children instead of selling them

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

to submit a plan to solve an important societal issue

to draw attention to an issue that is plaguing his country

to show that only an extreme solution can fix poverty

to defend those who have avoided falling into poverty

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

Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

that a woman would be willing to pay her landlord rent

that a woman would be willing to breed children to sell

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

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

Which characteristics of satire are evident in "A Modest Proposal"? Select three answer options.

criticism of society

verbal irony

multiple points of view

humor and ridicule

serious language

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 . . .

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

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

to show that real reform is possible with reasonable sacrifice

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

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"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"

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.

Swift uses a false premise when he says that people of the kingdom are in “want of venison.”

Swift uses irony when he says “so great a number of both sexes” are in desperate need of “work and service.”

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

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

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

children who were born into poverty and were not properly fed

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

individuals who were underprivileged and had difficulty finding employment

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

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

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

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

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

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Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" Answers

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