Question

i do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males . . . . that the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune . . .
—\a modest proposal,\
jonathan swift
whom is swift criticizing in this passage?
children who will not perform useful labor
wealthy people who exploit the poor
readers who believe whatever swift says
farmers who foolishly breed animals for food

Explanation:

In "A Modest Proposal", Swift uses satire. The passage suggests selling poor children to "persons of quality and fortune" (wealthy people). This mocks how the wealthy exploit the poor by treating children as commodities, so he criticizes wealthy exploiters of the poor. The other options don't fit: children not working isn't the target, readers aren't criticized here, and farmers breeding animals is a misinterpretation of the satire's target.

Answer:

B. wealthy people who exploit the poor