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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal”

Read “A Modest Proposal” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question In paragraph 1, what is such a “melancholy object to those who walk” through the city?

1. In paragraph 1, what is such a “melancholy object to those who walk” through the city?

the pretender in Spain

the polluted streets

the begging women and children

the frightening thieves

Question Swift concludes his introduction in paragraph 8. What do the first seven paragraphs provide to the reader?

2. Swift concludes his introduction in paragraph 8. What do the first seven paragraphs provide to the reader?

The first seven paragraphs were intended to distract the readers and overwhelm them with details to hide Swift’s intended purpose.

The first seven paragraphs provide the reader with the perspective of the workers and poor people living in Dublin at the time.

The first seven paragraphs provide the reader with the perspective of the upper classes and how they might have perceived the poor.

The first seven paragraphs are the narrator’s honest opinions about women and children and how horrible they looked on the streets of Dublin.

Question Paragraph 6 discusses the “breeders” of Ireland and how these different women produce children. Why might Swift have chosen the term “breeders”?

3. Paragraph 6 discusses the “breeders” of Ireland and how these different women produce children. Why might Swift have chosen the term “breeders”?

It is a symptom of the misogyny of the time.

It sets up the satiric punch line of his essay.

Swift is reflecting the upper-class values of his audience.

Swift likely chose the term for its precision: he is only discussing women of reproductive age.

Question Paragraphs 6 and 7 detail different occupations for children. What are they?

4. Paragraphs 6 and 7 detail different occupations for children. What are they?

thief and beggar

chimney sweep and slave

servant and beggar

thief and slave

Question In paragraph 9, Swift finally makes his proposal. What does he propose to do with the poor children of Ireland?

5. In paragraph 9, Swift finally makes his proposal. What does he propose to do with the poor children of Ireland?

sell them as slaves by the pound

have them work as chimney sweeps

eat them

train them as thieves

Question Paragraph 9 is one compound-complex sentence. Why?

6. Paragraph 9 is one compound-complex sentence. Why?

This is the satiric twist to the essay and needs to be short in order to be clear and impactful.

Swift is varying his paragraphs with shorter and longer explanations so the reader does not grow bored.

It fits the repetition pattern Swift establishes beginning with paragraph 7.

Swift assumed his audience stopped reading at this point because his proposal was so controversial.

Question In paragraph 12, Swift writes, “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” What is the point of this paragraph?

7. In paragraph 12, Swift writes, “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” What is the point of this paragraph?

The meat of children will be quite expensive and only the upper classes will be able to afford it.

Swift wishes for the reader to know he is not completely heartless and understands that the children are dear; therefore, the prices asked for will reflect this fact.

Swift is acknowledging his audience and allowing the reader to understand the economics of the time and the value of food during this crisis.

Swift is indicating that the landlords and the prices that they charged are one of the reasons that there are so many desperately poor; this is another sarcastic element.

Question Throughout the article, Swift cites as his evidence different people from different countries. Why does he do this?

8. Throughout the article, Swift cites as his evidence different people from different countries. Why does he do this?

In order to retain credibility as an author, Swift sought experts in different fields to support his claims.

By citing sources from different countries, Swift’s speaker could distance himself from this grotesque idea and retain his credibility.

The Irish and British are not known for their inventive cuisine or imaginations; therefore, using other countries adds an exotic twist to the solution proposed.

All of the above.

Question In paragraph 20, Swift says that he has digressed and wishes to bring his argument back into focus. He then goes on to enumerate his points for why his proposal should be considered and accepted. Why does Swift do this?

9. In paragraph 20, Swift says that he has digressed and wishes to bring his argument back into focus. He then goes on to enumerate his points for why his proposal should be considered and accepted. Why does Swift do this?

This is a classic rhetorical style that his audience would have recognized.

It is the logical sequence of an argument; he has provided evidence and now he is rebutting potential counterarguments.

Swift continues to satirize inhumane solutions to complicated problems by using cold logic that is irrefutable.

All of the above.

Question In paragraph 32, Swift allows that there might be other ideas for solving the problems of Ireland. Why does he include this paragraph?

10. In paragraph 32, Swift allows that there might be other ideas for solving the problems of Ireland. Why does he include this paragraph?

As a satirist, he is truly seeking a solution for a complex problem.

He knows that his ideas are so good that no one would be able to refute his logic.

He expects that others will come forward with recipes and ideas for how else to use the children.

The audience would be unmoved by his suggestions, so he was looking for a way out of a potentially hard spot.