Question

the precautions i had taken in closing the shutters and going to sleep in the middle of the room had only brought about the practical joke i had been trying to avoid. oh, how they all laughed that day! the most likely reason the author included this sentence is to- demonstrate the oxymoron in the story better explain the setting of the story develop the irony in the story explain the role of the valet

Explanation:

The sentence shows that precautions to avoid a practical joke ended up causing it, which is ironic. Oxymoron is a contradiction in terms (not applicable here). The sentence doesn't focus on setting details or a valet's role. So the author includes it to develop irony.

Answer:

C. develop the irony in the story