Question

Clover was an old stout mare now, stiff in the joints and with a tendency to rheumy eyes. She was two years past the retiring age, but in fact no animal had ever actually retired. The talk of setting aside a corner of the pasture for superannuated animals had long since been dropped.

Which phrase from this passage best shows situational irony?

"Clover was an old stout mare now"
"She was two years past the retiring age"
"no animal had ever actually retired"
"setting aside a corner of the pasture for superannuated animals"

Answer 1

"no animal had ever actually retired"

Explanation: It's ironic because there is an expectation (animals have a retiring age and should retire) but the reality is the opposite—though retirement is supposed to exist, it never actually happens. That contradiction is situational irony.