Which one of the following sentences exemplifies the use of lrony?
Correct answer: B. I must be cruel inly to be kind
- A. A fire station burnt down
- B. I must be cruel inly to be kind
- C. It is a hot and humid today.
- D. Hope for the Best; Prepare for the worst
Explanation
Irony: Irony involves a contrast between appearance and reality, expectation and outcome, or what is said and what is meant. In this sentence, "cruel" and "kind" are opposite ideas. Being cruel to be kind suggests a situation where a difficult or unpleasant action is necessary for a good outcome, even though it seems contradictory.
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Figurative language expresses an idea beyond its literal wording through devices such as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, irony, oxymoron and metonymy. Questions ask you to identify the device, interpret the intended meaning and distinguish figurative expression from a literal statement or simple comparison.
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