Analyzing Ideas, Structure, and Purpose in Machiavelli’s The Prince — Unit test
Question 15 • ELA 10B - 2023
Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him.
Answer
A
understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile.
B
verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.
C
verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view.
D
understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him.
Explanation
The speaker calmly describes selling children as food, but Swift is using this shocking proposal ironically to criticize the cruel treatment of the poor. He does not genuinely believe that children should be eaten, so this is verbal irony, not understatement. Choice B gives the reason that fits the passage.
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