Question

read the excerpt from chapter 10 of animal farm
there was enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against mr. pilkingtons before emptying it. when the cheering had died down, napoleon, who had remained on his feet, intimated that he too had a few words to say.
like all of napoleons speeches, it was short and to the point. he too, he said, was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end. for a long time there had been rumours—circulated, he had reason to think, by some malignant enemy—that there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself and his colleagues. they had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms. nothing could be further from the truth!
which quotation best shows the use of irony?
\he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against mr. pilkingtons.\
\like all of napoleons speeches, it was short and to the point.\
\there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself.\

othing could be further from the truth!\

Explanation:

Irony is a literary device where there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. In the context of Animal Farm, the animals initially rebelled against human tyranny. However, Napoleon, the pig leader, becomes as oppressive as the humans. The statement "Nothing could be further from the truth!" is ironic because Napoleon, who was part of the revolutionary group (expected to be anti - human and anti - tyranny), is now denying the "subversive and revolutionary" label. But in reality, his actions (becoming like humans) are the opposite of what the original revolution stood for. The other options do not show this kind of contrast between expectation and reality.

Answer:

"Nothing could be further from the truth!"