Question

2 Points

Read this excerpt from "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift:
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
fricasie, or a ragoust.
Which inference about Americans is best supported by evidence in the
passage?
O A. Americans are more knowledgeable than the English about
cooking.
O
B. Americans are more savage than the English.
C. Americans are more knowledgeable than the English about raising
children.
D. Americans are more cultured than the English.

Answer 1

Answer: B. Americans are more savage than the English

Step-by-step explanation:

Upon reading this excerpt, the reader first has the impression that it's about raising a child well and American parenting practices. However, the authors quickly reveals that it's about cannibal practices in America, because the text literally is about cooking the meat of children ("a young healthy child well nursed is, at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted").

The fact that the author was told all these by "a very knowing American" suggests that cannibalism is common practice in America, which makes Americans mare savage than the English. This is quite shocking, but, in that time and age, savage practices were quite common.