Question

Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.

Which statement is an example of understatement in this excerpt?a. The criticism of the practice would be levied "very unjustly."b. Women becoming breeders would be a "loss to the publick."c. Some people "might be apt to" criticize the practice.d. Many women would "become breeders themselves."

Answer 1

(C) Some people "might be apt to" criticize the practice.

Explanation:

The phrase "might be apt to" is creating an understatement, since scrupulous individuals - people with high morals - would be rallying against the idea of merely reducing women only to their reproductive functions. Understatement is a speech form where something is stated to be of a lesser strength than what it actual is, in order to create an irony where its importance becomes heightened instead.