Use the paragraph to answer the question:

"Frank heard a terrible noise as he pulled out of his spot in the parking garage. He slammed on the brakes and stepped out to see what had happened. There, on the passenger side of his brand-new car, was an enormous scrape—and a dent in the door panel. Frank’s shoulders slumped in dejection. He sighed and said, “Good thing it’s only a small scratch,” as he got back into his car."

Which statement best analyzes this paragraph?

a. The author used third-person point of view to highlight the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

b. The author used satire to show that some events are less important than they are presented.

c. The author used sarcasm to hint at what Frank might do later in the story.

d. The author used understatement to downplay Frank’s true feelings.

1 answer

The statement that best analyzes the paragraph is:

d. The author used understatement to downplay Frank’s true feelings.

This is evident as Frank describes the damage to his car as "only a small scratch" despite it being an "enormous scrape—and a dent in the door panel," indicating he is trying to minimize his disappointment.