A modest proposal

I have been ____________ by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old most delicious...

...twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only on forth part to be ___________, which is more than we allow for sheep

...and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good __________ on the fourth day, especially in winter.

...there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after _________ than at any other season

What does Swift say can be done with the skin?

• used to make rope and beef jerkey

• used to make a soup

• used to make gloves and boots

• none of the above

Read the following and see which best simplifies the sentence.

The scrupulous bureaucrats had no ear for such complacency of the proposal.

• The union workers were grossed out by idea.

• The government officials were offended by idea.

• The business owners were greedy and liked it.

• all of the above

But with due __________ to so excellent a friend and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments...

Read the sentence and select the simplified version of it.

Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about the vast number of poor people who are aged, diseased, or maimed, and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken to ease the nation of so grievous and encumbrance.

• Jonathan Swift is genuinely concerned about the high number of poor people and aims to help society by proposing realistic ways to reduce the burden they place on the nation.

• Jonathan Swift sincerely suggests a practical solution to reduce the burden of caring for poor, elderly, and disabled people by finding ways to ease the nation’s struggles with overpopulation and poverty.

• Jonathan Swift’s proposal is a compassionate plan designed to offer relief to struggling families by reducing the number of impoverished dependents in society.

• Jonathan Swift ironically criticizes society's cold indifference to the poor by pretending to propose a horrific "solution" to poverty, exposing the inhumanity of such attitudes.

What are Swift's six arguments? Make sure to paraphrase in a sentence or two.