Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."

Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.

Which statement is an example of understatement in this excerpt?

The criticism of the practice would be levied “very unjustly.”
Women becoming breeders would be a "loss to the publick."
Some people "might be apt to" criticize the practice.
Many women would "become breeders themselves.

Answer 1

Correct answer: Some people "might be apt to" criticize the practice.

Explanation: Understatement downplays the severity or intensity of something. Swift minimizes likely strong condemnation by saying critics "might be apt to" censure the proposal (and even calls it "a little bordering upon cruelty"), thereby understating how outrageous the practice is.