The Modest Proposal -Quiz1

What large scale societal problem does Swift plan to resolve?

• Spreading religion to Ireland

• Uplifting the English poor

• Mistreatment of Irish poor

• Overpopulation of England

Why does Swift use terms such as breeders, males, and females when referring to the poor of Ireland in “A Modest Proposal”?

• to show that he is a scientist

• to imply that they are considered less than human

• to be as exact as possible

• to show respect for them

Which of these statements from “A Modest Proposal” is an example of sacrasm?

• The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half . . .

• The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared, and provided for. . . .

• I can think of no one objection . . . against this proposal, unless it should be urged that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom.

• These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling, to beg sustenance for their helpless infants. . . .

Which term best describes this statement from “A Modest Proposal”?

(. . . the poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own . . . and help to pay their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown.)

• Incongruity

• Exaggeration

• Humor

• Irony

What is Swift’s main purpose in his essay “A Modest Proposal”?

• He wants to force the government to help the poor of Ireland.

• He wants people to consider his proposal as a solution to poverty.

• He wants to encourage the poor to improve their living conditions.

• He wants to demonstrate his skill in the new form of satire.