"what modern people want to be made to understand is simply that all argument begins with an assumption; that is, with something that you do not doubt. you can, of course, if you like, doubt the assumption at the beginning of your argument, but in that case you are beginning a different argument with another assumption at the beginning of it. every argument begins with an infallible dogma, and that infallible dogma can only be disputed by falling back on some other infallible dogma; you can never prove your first statement or it would not be your first. all this is the alphabet of thinking. and it has this special and positive point about it, that it can be taught in a school, like the other alphabet. not to start an argument without stating your postulates could be taught in philosophy as it is taught in euclid, in a common schoolroom with a blackboard. and i think it might be taught in some simple and rational degree even to the young, before they go out into the streets and are delivered over entirely to the logic and philosophy of the daily mail."

the tone of the writer in the passage is

select one:
a. sardonic.
b. incisive.
c. frightened.
d. ironical.

Synonyms and antonyms of the word mean is

{asap} select the correct text in the passage. which line in this excerpt from jonathan swift's "a modest proposal" uses the rhetorical device of irony? and secondly, there being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; i desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner i prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever. i profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that i have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. i have no children, by which i can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing. lines highlighted: - there being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, - they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather - i have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, - i have no children, by which i can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.

Me determine which are quote or paraphrase.