Question

read the excerpt from \a modest proposal\.
i have already computed the charge of nursing a beggars child (in which list i reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four - fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and i believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as i have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him
one aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is
understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile.
verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.
verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view.
understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him

Explanation:

"A Modest Proposal" uses verbal irony—Swift does not actually advocate eating children. The absurd plan critiques societal indifference to poverty, so his stated belief in the proposal is not genuine. Understatement is incorrect here as the proposal is extreme, not downplayed.

Answer:

verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.