Question

gullivers travels
skill:
point of view
reread paragraphs 13 and 14 of gullivers travels. then, using the checklist on the previous page, answer the multiple - choice questions below.
your turn

1. which of these quotations most effectively shows how the author uses humor to make the reader think the lilliputians are foolish?

○ a. \these civil commotions were constantly fomented by the monarchs of blefuscu.\
○ b. \it is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end.\
○ c. \a bloody war has been carried on between the two empires for six - and - thirty moons.\
○ d. \however, they have now equipped a numerous fleet, and are just preparing to make a descent upon us.\

1. swift mocks warfare by —

○ a. telling how long the war between the empires has lasted.
○ b. describing the ships and soldiers employed by each side.
○ c. using silly - sounding words to name the countries.
○ d. showing that the war began over an ambiguous sentence.

Explanation:

1. For question 1: The quote in option B describes Lilliputians dying over the trivial issue of which end to break an egg, which is absurd and humorous, clearly highlighting their foolishness. Other options only state facts about the conflict without this silly, humorous detail.
2. For question 2: Swift mocks warfare by showing the war started over a ridiculous, trivial origin (an ambiguous sentence about egg-breaking), which makes the large-scale, deadly warfare seem absurd and pointless. The other options do not address the satirical core of mocking warfare's origins.

Answer:

1. B. "It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end."
2. D. showing that the war began over an ambiguous sentence.