Word Meaning in the Preface to A Dictionary of the English Language — Unit test

Question 9 • OK-English IV A-CR

Which is one way that Swift criticizes society in "A Modest Proposal"?

Answer

by suggesting that people care so little about children they would be willing to sell and eat them

by suggesting that people would be appalled by the idea of selling and eating children

by highlighting the ways in which the plan could help people support people’s families

by highlighting all the practical ways in which people have tried to remedy poverty

Explanation

Swift uses shocking satire by proposing that poor families sell their children as food. The extreme suggestion exposes how little society seems to value poor people and their children, and criticizes its indifference to poverty. Choice B focuses on people’s likely horror at the proposal, rather than the social neglect Swift is attacking.

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