A Modest Proposal Reading Check

What large scale societal problem does Swift plan to resolve?

• Overpopulation of Ireland
• Spreading religion to Ireland
• Mistreatment of Irish poor
• Uplifting the English poor

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What is Swift's claim?

• The English need to be treated better or they will start to eat children.
• The Irish need to handle their money better or they will have to sell children.
• The English should sell their children into Irish slavery to help their economy.
• The Irish should sell their babies to English butchers as a delicacy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What does Swift mean when he says, "The English landlords have already devoured most of the Irish parents?

• Cannibalism has been part of English culture.
• The landlords have financially devoured the Irish tenants.
• Landlords will eat tenants who cannot pay rent.
• Irish parents will not sell their children.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

The narrator claims to have no personal motive behind his proposal because...

• He is English and could not benefit from his proposal
• His wife is past childbearing age
• He lives in the country and doesn't own a farm
• He is not a landlord and does not wish to be rich

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.9

Who does Swift feel bad for and why doe he feel bad for them?

• Irish. Because they are pitiful and complacent

• English. Because they are pitiful and complacent

• Irish. Because they are poor and hopeless

• English. Because they are poor and hopeless

Does Swift expect his readers to seriously consider his proposal?  Why?

• No. He is trying to raise awareness about an issue.
• Yes. He is trying to create a new part of the meat industry.
• No. He is trying to help the Irish win the war with England.
• Yes. He is trying to help the English win the war with Ireland.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What did Swift want readers to learn from his proposal?

• Irish poverty is temporary; you can fix your situation.
• Irish wealth is subjective; you can be poor and be happy.
• The English mistreat the Irish and cause their poverty.
• The English need more meat industry to get out of debt.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What do you think is Swift's attitude toward the treatment of Ireland's poor people?

• He dislikes the treatment of Ireland's poor people
• He promotes the treatment of Ireland's poor people
• He justifies the treatment of Ireland's poor people
• He celebrates the treatment of Ireland's poor people

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What two pieces of evidence strongly support Swift's attitude toward the treatment of Ireland's poor people?

• His assurance of religious freedom & statistical prowess
• His nationality & his excitement for new income for the Irish
• His plan for "baby-skin" clothing & his wife past childbearing age
• His list of bad solutions and quote about devouring parents

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of Swift's proposal?

• reatly lessen the number of Papists
• Poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own
• Bring great customs to taverns
• it will add to the divorce rates