Question

we next went to the school of languages, where three professors sat in consultation upon improving that of their own country,
the first project was to shorten discourse by cutting polysyllables into one, and leaving out verbs and participles, because, in reality, all things imaginable are but nouns.
the other project was, a scheme for entirely abolishing all words whatsoever, and this was urged as a great advantage in point of health, as well as brevity. for it is plain, the shortening of our lives. an expedient was therefore offered, “that since words are only names for things, it would be more convenient for all men to carry about them certainly have taken place, to the great ease as well as health of the subject, if the women, in conjunction with the vulgar and illiterate, had not threatened to raise a rebel, constant irreconcilable enemies to science are the common people. however, many of the most learned and wise adhere to the new scheme of expressing themselves b he must be obliged, in proportion, to carry a greater bundle of things upon his back, unless he can afford one or two strong servants to attend him. i have often beheld tw street, would lay down their loads, open their sacks, and hold conversation for an hour together; then put up their implements, help each other to resume their burdens, a
but for short conversations, a man may carry implements in his pockets, and under his arms, enough to supply him; and in his house, he cannot be at a loss. therefore th this kind of artificial converse.
another great advantage proposed by this invention was, that it would serve as a universal language, to be understood in all civilised nations, whose goods and utensils a ambassadors would be qualified to treat with foreign princes, or ministers of state, to whose tongues they were utter strangers.

1. swift criticizes the “learned and wise” in this passage by highlighting their:

a. willingness to sacrifice practicality for theoretical purity.

b. inability to understand foreign languages.

c. hypocrisy in abandoning tradition.

d. fear of rebellion by the lower classes.

1. the professors’ proposal to abolish words and communicate through physical objects is primarily a satire of:

a. religious dogma limiting free expression.

b. enlightenment attempts to overrationalize language and human interaction.

c. the scientific community’s obsession with experimentation.

d. the inefficiency of monarchical bureaucracy.

Explanation:

Question 17

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option a: The "learned and wise" support a scheme (abolishing words, using objects) that is impractical (carrying objects is cumbersome) but theoretically pure (words as names for things, so objects are direct). This matches Swift's criticism of sacrificing practicality for theoretical ideas.
• Option b: The passage talks about a universal language, not their inability to understand foreign languages. Eliminate.
• Option c: There's no mention of hypocrisy or abandoning tradition. Eliminate.
• Option d: The passage says the common people threatened rebellion, not the "learned and wise" fearing it. Eliminate.

Analyze each option:

• Option a: The proposal is about language, not religious dogma. Eliminate.
• Option b: The Enlightenment emphasized rationality. The professors' over - rational attempt to simplify language (abolish words, use objects) is a satire of over - rationalizing language and human interaction. This fits.
• Option c: The proposal is about language, not scientific experimentation. Eliminate.
• Option d: The passage doesn't relate to monarchical bureaucracy. Eliminate.

Answer:

a. Willingness to sacrifice practicality for theoretical purity.

Question 18