Question

tasha, clearly confused, stared at mrs. groban— she didn’t know how to answer the question. her mouth gaped open and moved up and down, but she could not find any words to articulate.
“ms. henderson, will you please answer the question?” mrs. groban sneered sweetly.
once again, tasha was speechless. her blue eyes began to water under the pressure. what was that question? if only if i had listened to the question, i wouldn’t be in this predicament, tasha thought.
“i’m waiting,” mrs. groban said, drumming her fingers on the computer desk.
“ahem,” escaped from tasha’s mouth.
oh, no! why did i do that? i don’t have anything to say—i am completely unprepared for this class. what was mrs. groban talking about earlier... tasha began as her thoughts trailed off.
“mrs. groban, i’m sorry it took so long for me to answer your question. i just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise,” tasha said, trying to buy some more time.
with an icy smile, mrs. groban said, “of course.”
suddenly, tasha eyes brightened. i know the answer! tasha realized.
14
which sentence from the passage contains an oxymoron?
a. “ms. henderson, will you please answer the question?” mrs. groban sneered sweetly
b. what was mrs. groban talking about earlier... tasha began as her thoughts trailed off
c. if only if i had listened to the question, i wouldn’t be in this predicament, tasha thought.
d. “i just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise,” tasha said, trying to buy some more time.
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Explanation:

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. Let's analyze each option:

• Option A: No contradictory terms.
• Option B: No contradictory terms.
• Option C: "If only I had listened to the question, I wouldn't be in this predicament" has no oxymoron.
• Option D: "I just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise," Tasha said, trying to buy some more time. The phrase "buy some more time" and "make sure my answer was concise" – wait, no, the oxymoron here is not that. Wait, actually, "buy some more time" and "concise answer" – no, wait, the key is "concise" and "buy some more time"? No, wait, the correct analysis: Wait, no, let's re - check. Wait, the option D: "I just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise," Tasha said, trying to buy some more time. The act of "buying more time" (which implies taking time) and "making the answer concise" (which implies being brief) are not the oxymoron. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, no, let's check the options again. Wait, the correct option is D? Wait, no, wait, the oxymoron is in the idea of "buying time" to make the answer "concise" – but actually, the correct option is D? Wait, no, let's re - evaluate. Wait, the option D: "I just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise," Tasha said, trying to buy some more time. The contradiction is between "concise" (short, brief) and "buy some more time" (taking more time to answer). So this is an oxymoron as the two actions/ideas are contradictory.

Answer:

D. "I just wanted to make sure that my answer was concise," Tasha said, trying to buy some more time.