Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."

Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.

Which sentence best paraphrases the excerpt?

A. England will save a great deal of money because they will not have to maintain the cost of raising poor children.
B. Swift states that wealthy gentlemen with good taste will now have a new dish to buy and consume at mealtimes.
C. Swift argues that his proposal would increase the circulation of money and strengthen England’s economy.
D. Breeding, selling, and eating impoverished children will benefit the people of England in more than one way.

Answer 1

Answer: C. Swift argues that his proposal would increase the circulation of money and strengthen England’s economy.

In these lines, Swift argues that his proposal will likely increase the circulation of money in England and strengthen the economy. On the one hand, Swift argues that his proposal would save the country a lot of money that would not be spent raising children. Moreover, the new dishes that would be created would bring money to those who serve it. Finally, the "goods" (the children) would be of their own "manufacture," which means that the country would rely on its own production.