It was almost time for Nikka to start opening her gifts, and Eve didn’t even have hers wrapped. She knew Eve would love the sequined purse she had bought because she had seen her sister eyeing it at the store last week. The only problem was that she had no box for it. Scanning her room, she found the box that Eve’s latest canteen had arrived in—a perfect fit. After hurriedly wrapping the gift, she brought it downstairs to give to her sister.

Question

Downstairs, Nikka was busily opening gifts. Most of it was clothes, jewelry, and gift cards for shopping. When she got to Eve’s gift, she tore off the wrapper and stared at the box for a moment.

“Aww, thanks for the canteen, sis,” Nikka said with a forced smile. Nikka put the box on the coffee table.

“Well, take a look inside,” Eve said.

“Why, is it a special kind of canteen?” Nikka asked. “When have you known me to like camping, Eve?”

“No, it’s—” Eve began again.

“Sometimes I wish you’d think about what I’d like for once,” Nikka said. Finally she reached over and picked up the box. “I mean, great, a . . .” She looked down at the open canteen box, and the exact sequined purse she had wanted was staring back up at her.

“Exactly what I wanted!” Nikka squealed. “I knew you’d get me the perfect gift, sis!”

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Explain the effect of the dramatic irony in the passage for the reader.

(1 point)
Responses

Eve knows that the box does not contain a canteen, but Nikka does not realize it, which creates humor.
Eve knows that the box does not contain a canteen, but Nikka does not realize it, which creates humor.

The reader knows that Eve and Nikka have different interests, which creates surprise at their differences.
The reader knows that Eve and Nikka have different interests, which creates surprise at their differences.

The reader understands Nikka’s love of material things, and the effect is a comment on human nature.
The reader understands Nikka’s love of material things, and the effect is a comment on human nature.

The reader knows that the box contains the purse Nikka wanted, so the effect is to experience the humor and anticipation of the scene.
The reader knows that the box contains the purse Nikka wanted, so the effect is to experience the humor and anticipation of the scene.
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Answer 1

The most accurate response that captures the effect of the dramatic irony in the passage is:

The reader knows that the box contains the purse Nikka wanted, so the effect is to experience the humor and anticipation of the scene.

This response highlights how the reader is aware of the truth about the gift while Nikka mistakenly believes it is a canteen. This misunderstanding creates a humorous and tense moment, leading to an anticipatory payoff when Nikka discovers the actual gift.