Informational Text: "Thoughts on Various Subjects," Jonathan SWI
Read this passage adapted from "Thoughts on Various Subjects" by Jonathan Swift. Then, answer
the question(s).
(1) Reflect on things past, as wars, negotiations, factions, etc.: we enter so little into those
interests that we wonder how men could possibly be
so busy and concerned for things so
transitory.
(2) Look on the present times, we find the same humor; yet wonder not at all....
(3) No preacher is listened to but time, which gives us the same train and turn of thought
that elder people have in vain tried to put into our heads before....
(4) The latter part of a wise man's life is taken up in curing the follies, prejudices, and false
opinions he had contracted in the former.
"humor: trait; attitude
1. What is Swift's central idea about human beings?
O He finds human beings generally wise and self-aware.
O He finds human beings foolish and inconsistent.
O He finds human beings surprisingly kind and supportive.
O He finds human beings very wicked and sinful.