5 reading comp questions on Gulliver’s Travels
5 reading comp questions on Gulliver’s Travels
Which passage might show Swift’s misanthropy, as voiced through Gulliver?
a. And thus he continued on, while my color came and went several times with indignation to hear our noble country, the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honor, and truth, the pride and envy of the world, so contemptuously treated…”
b. “The King was struck with horror at the description I had given of those terrible engines and the proposal I had made.”
c. “He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of our affairs during the last century, protesting it was only a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition could produce.”
d. “He acted every part of an orator; and I could observe many periods of threatening and others of promises, pity, and kindness.”
Which passage best describes the cause of six bloody revolutions among the Liliputians?
a. “During the course of these troubles, the emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion…”
b. “However, they have now equipped a numerous fleet and are just preparing to make a descent upon us…”
c. “It is computed that eleven thousand persons have, at several times, suffered death rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end.”
d. “Now, in the midst of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from the island of Blefuscu…”
How do the Lilliputians explain Gulliver’s sudden appearance in their kingdom?
a. ”But, I confess, that after I had been a little too copious in talking of my own beloved country…”
b. “Besides, our histories of six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu…”
c. “His most sublime Majesty proposeth to the Man-Mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform.”
d. “Our philosophers are in much doubt and would rather conjecture that you dropped from the moon or one of the stars.”
How do the Lilliputians explain Gulliver’s sudden appearance in their kingdom?
a. ”But, I confess, that after I had been a little too copious in talking of my own beloved country…”
b. “Besides, our histories of six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu…”
c. “His most sublime Majesty proposeth to the Man-Mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform.”
d. “Our philosophers are in much doubt and would rather conjecture that you dropped from the moon or one of the stars.”
In which passage does Swift mock the political parties of England during his time?
a. “There have been two struggling parties in this empire…from the high and low heels of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves.?”
b. “These civil commotions were constantly fomented by the monarchs of Blefuscu…”
c. “This prince took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, religion, laws, government, and learning of Europe; wherein I gave him the best account I was able.”
d. “And yet,” said he, “I dare engage, those creatures have their titles and distinctions of honor…”
Which passage contains an allusion that Swift makes to historical events that were taking place at the time?
a. “I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I remember to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, above nine hours…”
b. “And besides, they shot another flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe.”
c. “I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest armies they could bring against me…”
d. “Given at our Palace at Belfaborac the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign.”
