Use the story to answer the question.

Which sentences are examples of irony?

(2 points)
Irony Not irony
Janelle ran the half-block from the subway station to the office.

Thanks for picking today, of all days, to get stuck for twenty-six minutes.

“Has the new supervisor come around yet?”

“I would never make such a silly mistake.”

1 answer

To determine which sentences are examples of irony, we need to identify statements that convey a meaning opposite to what is expected or intended.

Irony:

  • “Thanks for picking today, of all days, to get stuck for twenty-six minutes.” (This implies that it's particularly unfortunate to be delayed today, possibly when it matters the most.)
  • “I would never make such a silly mistake.” (If the person ends up making a silly mistake later, it would be ironic because they claimed they would never do that.)

Not Irony:

  • “Janelle ran the half-block from the subway station to the office.” (This is a straightforward statement with no underlying contradiction.)
  • “Has the new supervisor come around yet?” (This is a simple inquiry without irony.)

So the sentences that are examples of irony are:

  • “Thanks for picking today, of all days, to get stuck for twenty-six minutes.”
  • “I would never make such a silly mistake.”