Question

which statement best conveys the irony of the speakers situation in paragraph 4?
a i couldve been the valedictorian somewhere.
b my retorts were always something cleverly snide as well.
c i wouldve shown everyone how determined i can truly be. as it turned out, i showed em anyway. counselors were shown that i didnt have to graduate with my class, like they so earnestly wished for me to.
d half the sophomores around here dont even know how to spell s-o-p-h-o-m-o-r-e...they leave out the o on all their cheesy, self-absorbed class election posters, and they certainly dont have a clue that its a combination of two latinic roots,sopho andmore, meaning wise fool.

Explanation:

Irony occurs when there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. In option C, the speaker expected to show everyone how determined they could be (a positive, expected outcome), but instead, they ended up showing that they didn't graduate with their class (the opposite of the expected positive outcome). This contrast between expectation and reality is ironic.

Answer:

C. I would've shown everyone how determined I can truly be. As it turned out, I showed 'em anyway. Counselors were shown that I didn't have to graduate with my class, like they so earnestly wished for me to.