Critical Reading For Exams / Short Reading Comprehension 19


I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. 

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well  nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled;  and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout. 

I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already  computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males, which is more  than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine; and my reason is that these children are seldom the fruits of mar-  riage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. 

That the remaining hundred thousand may at a year old be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune  through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render  them plump and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the  family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt  will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter. 
 



Which of the following best represents the author’s view of society?

Representational of governmental social programming
Lethargic and unwilling to work or study to improve their lots in life
Accepting given the state of impoverishment
Lacking in morals primarily due to lack of education and apathy
Currently in a state of moral degradation and whose practices are ruinous

Why does the author begin with the line, “I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection” line (1)?

Knowing what he is about to present, the author wishes to establish the tone of the passage immediately, knowing that there will be major objections to what he is about to present.
Appreciating that there will be some small children in the audience, he is warning the adults that there should be no tolerance for any child crying out in objection to the proposal.
He is about to present a rather controversial position on a serious issue and knows that because a portion of his justification is based on the word of an American, knows some will try to object.
Recognizing that the proposal holds merit, the author is reconfirming his belief that the proposition he is about to deliver will satisfy the needs of the community.
Given the sensitivity of new mothers, he anticipates that some will try to object to his position and he wants to control these objections until the elders can fully hear and appreciate the rationale for this plan.

This type of writing is known as

Argumentative.
An extended metaphor.
Satire.
Irony.
Informational.

The presenter rationalizes the plan in all of the following except

By offering a diet plan go gain the fullest measure from the plan.
By noting that an American friend confirms the results.
By providing that older children could be sold at discount.
By comparing actual numbers to what works for sheep, cattle and swing.
By providing actual numbers in support of the plan.

Which of the following best reflects how the author presents his plan to the audience?

In a humorous manner
In a matter-of-fact tone
With reserved indignation
With giddy excitement about the prospects of success
In a way as to get people rallied behind the plan