Question

irony, sarcasm, and paradox quick check
1 janelle ran the half - block from the subway station to the office. thank you very
much, subway, janelle thought. thanks for picking today, of all days, to get stuck for
twenty - six minutes. that was very considerate of you. thanks for picking the very
day we have a new supervisor coming to work, someone i really want to impress.
2 she had risen before daylight that morning, planning to arrive to work even earlier
than usual. she had planned to be at her desk, already hard at work, when the new
supervisor arrived for the day. and now here she was, prompt, predictable janelle,
running late for the first time in her life.
3 janelle entered the building and hurried to the elevator. a small crowd stood
waiting for it. no, she decided; too slow. she would take the stairs, all sixteen floors
of them. there was no time to waste.
4 by the time janelle reached her floor, she was out of breath. she sprinted to her
desk and threw herself into her chair.
5 her coworker mark leaned over from the next desk.
6 \hi, janelle,\ he said. \everything okay? ive never known you to be even a minute
late.\
7 \im fine,\ she said, busying herself with her computer. \has the new supervisor
come around yet?\
8 \the new supervisor?\ mark asked. \you mean the one starting next monday?\
9
ext monday?\ asked janelle. \you mean, a week from today?\
10 \yes,\ said mark. \its right here on the calendar.\ he peered at janelle. \you didnt
think it was today, did you?\
11 \oh, no,\ said janelle. \of course not. i would never make such a silly mistake.\
use the story to answer the question.
which sentences are examples of irony?
(2 points)

Explanation:

• Irony occurs when there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
• "Thanks for picking today, of all days, to get stuck for twenty - six minutes" is ironic because Janelle is sarcastically thanking the subway for being inconvenient on a day she wants to impress.
• "I would never make such a silly mistake" is ironic as Janelle made a mistake about the supervisor's start date.

Answer:

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