A Modest Proposal Trivia

1. How old did Swift recommended children be before they became a modest proposal?

Two years

One year

Four years

Six months

Swift did not recommend children to become a modest proposal at any age. "A Modest Proposal" is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift in which he suggests that poor Irish families should sell their children as food to the wealthy to solve poverty. The question is incorrect and does not make sense in the context of Swift's essay.

Explanation

Swift did not recommend children to become a modest proposal at any age. "A Modest Proposal" is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift in which he suggests that poor Irish families should sell their children as food to the wealthy to solve poverty. The question is incorrect and does not make sense in the context of Swift's essay.

2. What did the narrator recommend as the spelling price for a beggar's child?

One hundred shillings

Ten shillings

Twenty shillings

Three shillings

The narrator recommended ten shillings as the spelling price for a beggar's child.

Explanation

The narrator recommended ten shillings as the spelling price for a beggar's child.

3. During what time are the most Roman Catholic children born?

Nine months after Christmas

Nine months after the first day of autumn

Nine months after the first day of spring

Nine months after Lent

The most Roman Catholic children are born nine months after Lent because Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance observed by Catholics. It typically falls in the springtime, leading up to Easter. During this time, Catholics may abstain from certain activities, including sexual intercourse, which could explain why there is a higher number of births nine months after Lent.

Explanation

The most Roman Catholic children are born nine months after Lent because Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance observed by Catholics. It typically falls in the springtime, leading up to Easter. During this time, Catholics may abstain from certain activities, including sexual intercourse, which could explain why there is a higher number of births nine months after Lent.

4. What was the ethnicity of the person who told the narrator that a young, healthy child is a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food?

Spanish

American

Italian

English

The ethnicity of the person who told the narrator that a young, healthy child is a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food is American.

Explanation

The ethnicity of the person who told the narrator that a young, healthy child is a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food is American.

5. Of the following, which is not one of the common options chosen by the children of Ireland?

Become thieves

Sell themselves to the Barbadoes

Fight for the Pretender in Spain

Become factory workers

The given answer, "Become factory workers," is not one of the common options chosen by the children of Ireland. This suggests that becoming factory workers is not a common career path or choice for children in Ireland.

Explanation

The given answer, "Become factory workers," is not one of the common options chosen by the children of Ireland. This suggests that becoming factory workers is not a common career path or choice for children in Ireland.

6. What is the full title of "A Modest Proposal"?

A Modest Proposal for Maximizing the Usefulness of the Poor Children of Ireland and for Providing a Means to Regulate the Economy

A Modest Proposal for Feeding the Hungry, Clothing the Needy, Sheltering the Homeless, and Enriching the Poor People of Ireland

A Modest Proposal for Improving the Living Standards in Ireland and for Relieving the Poor People in Ireland of Their Unwanted Children

A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public

The full title of "A Modest Proposal" is "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public." This title reflects the satirical nature of the essay, in which the author proposes a shocking solution to the poverty and overpopulation issues in Ireland. The title highlights the author's intention to address the problem of impoverished children and suggests that the proposal will benefit both the individuals and the society as a whole.

Explanation

The full title of "A Modest Proposal" is "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public." This title reflects the satirical nature of the essay, in which the author proposes a shocking solution to the poverty and overpopulation issues in Ireland. The title highlights the author's intention to address the problem of impoverished children and suggests that the proposal will benefit both the individuals and the society as a whole.

7. Of the 120,000 childen annually born in Dublin at the time, how many did Swift suggest should be used for the modest proposal?

100,000

10,000

120,000

5,000

Swift suggests that 100,000 children should be used for the modest proposal.

Explanation

Swift suggests that 100,000 children should be used for the modest proposal.

8. Which of the following is listed as one of the benefits of the narrator's modest proposal?

People will not live in fear of being robbed.

The price of other foods in Ireland will go down.

The food will bring a great custom to taverns in Ireland.

Sanitation in Ireland will be improved.

The narrator's modest proposal suggests that selling and eating infants will bring a great custom to taverns in Ireland. This means that the proposal will increase business and revenue for taverns, potentially boosting the economy.

Explanation

The narrator's modest proposal suggests that selling and eating infants will bring a great custom to taverns in Ireland. This means that the proposal will increase business and revenue for taverns, potentially boosting the economy.

9. Why did the narrator say that the modest proposal food should not bear exportation?

The people of Ireland could not afford the shipping costs.

The flesh is too tender to admit a long continuance of salt.

The smell of the food would be repulsive over a long journey.

The people of Ireland did not want other nation’s citizens eating their children.

The narrator said that the modest proposal food should not bear exportation because the flesh is too tender to admit a long continuance of salt. This implies that the food would not be able to withstand the preservation process required for long-distance transportation.

Explanation

The narrator said that the modest proposal food should not bear exportation because the flesh is too tender to admit a long continuance of salt. This implies that the food would not be able to withstand the preservation process required for long-distance transportation.

10. What did the narrator acknowledge as the strongest objection to his proposal?

It would be too difficult to implement if it was run by the government.

It would create a more homogenous Ireland.

It was a little bordering on cruelty.

It would be looked down upon in other countries.

The narrator acknowledged that the strongest objection to his proposal was that it was a little bordering on cruelty.

Explanation

The narrator acknowledged that the strongest objection to his proposal was that it was a little bordering on cruelty.