Question

read the excerpt from \a modest proposal\a very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues i highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. he said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplyd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve, so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and servicewhich statement best describes swifts use of rhetorical devices in this excerpt?swift uses a false premise when he says that people of the kingdom are in \want of venison.\swift uses irony when he says \so great a number of both sexes\ are in desperate need of \work and service\swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is \very worthy\ and \a true lover of this country\swift uses a false premise when he says the \gentlemen of the kingdom\ have \destroyed their deer\

Explanation:

In "A Modest Proposal," Swift often uses irony to criticize social issues. The description of the person as "very worthy" and "a true lover of his country" is ironic because the proposal (though a refinement) is absurd (suggesting using children as food - related to the "venison" comment in a dark, satirical way). The other options:

• The "false premise" options (about deer and venison want) are not the main rhetorical device here. The core is the ironic praise of the person.
• The option about "so great a number... work and service" is not the key ironic moment compared to the description of the person.

Answer:

Swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is "very worthy" and "a true lover of this country."