Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."

I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands. . . .

Which false premise does the author rely on in this excerpt?

that parents would choose to disown their children instead of caring for them
that parents would value their children over an improved economy
that parents would rather sell their children than be responsible for them
that parents would prefer to provide for their children instead of selling them

Answer 1

that parents would rather sell their children than be responsible for them

Explanation: Swift's proposal depends on the (satirically false and shocking) assumption that impoverished parents would willingly sell their children as a commodity to relieve themselves of the burden and gain income.