A Modest Proposal

Which social problem does Swift most strongly address in his proposal?

• Illegal immigration
• Unequal education
• Poverty
• Wages

What is one of the reasons that Swift gives for his proposal?

• The meat of Irish infants goes well with many different vegetables.
• Grocery markets are looking for gourmet foods.
• There is a shortage of animal meat in Ireland.
• Irish infants' mothers cannot take care of them.

In what way does "A Modest Proposal" fit the definition of satire?

• It argues for a solution to poverty in Ireland that only the poor would support.
• It brings attention to the problem of poverty in Ireland and hints at a solution.
• It uses humor to criticize the Irish poor for taking advange of welfare programs.
• It criticizes British attitudes toward poverty in Ireland, but in an indirect way.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which sentence best describes the narrator's purpose in writing this proposal?

• He is proposing a solution to the problem of Irish parents who cannot financially support their children.
• He is proposing a solution to the problem of teen crime and promiscuity in Ireland.
• He is proposing a solution to the problem of English landlords' unfair treatment of Irish tenants.
• He is proposing a solution to the problem of servant shortages in wealthy English households.

From which source does the narrator of "A Modest Proposal" get his ideas?

• An American who lives in London.
• London's agricultural minister.
• A local London butcher
• A former Catholic priest from London

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What benefit does the narrator say will occur if his proposal is put into action?

• Taxes will be lowered for the upper class.
• Landlords will show mercy toward their tenants.
• There will be a rise in patriotism and love of country.
• The nation's wealth will increase.

According to the narrator, what is the one disadvantage of the proposal?

• Ireland will become a profitable commodity for England.
• The population of Ireland will be significantly decreased. 
• The number of child beggars will be reduced.
• England will increase taxes on the "breeding"
   parents. 

In what way does the narrator compare children to livestock?

• He says they are dirty and greedy like pigs.
• He says they can be bred like cattle.
• He says they should be herded into orphanages like cattle.
• He says that they beg like dirty farm dogs.

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What information does the narrator offer that gives the reader incentive to follow his plan?

• He tells the audience that he is a member of the orphan care committee.
• He offers information as to what time of year the "meat" would be most plentiful.
• He proposes that teen boys would make for tender cuts of meat because of their muscular content.
• He states that devout religious parents would want their children 

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What group is targeted negatively but indirectly by Swift in "A Modest Proposal"?

• Angelicans
• Practicing Catholics
• Immigrants
• Wealthy Protestants