Question

Which scenarios are examples of verbal irony? Select two options.

Your best friend is concerned that you are not feeling well. “You sound like you’ve nearly lost your voice,” she says.
After finally finishing your paper for history, you drop it in a puddle of water. “Oh great! That is just what I need!” you exclaim.
You are at the zoo when it starts to rain, and the elephants emerge from their stall. “The elephants seem to love the rain,” you say.
Your mom comes into your room and sees clothes strewn on the floor. “I think you’re going to win an award for cleanliness,” she says.
You explain to your little brother why you know that Romeo and Juliet will not turn out well. “It says at the beginning that they are star-crossed lovers.”

Answer 1

- After finally finishing your paper for history, you drop it in a puddle of water. “Oh great! That is just what I need!”
- Your mom comes into your room and sees clothes strewn on the floor. “I think you’re going to win an award for cleanliness,” she says.

Both are verbal irony (sarcasm): the speaker says the opposite of what they mean. The others are literal observations or explanations.