Question

directions: read the selection and answer the questions that follow.
all this junk
(1) benjamin slumped down on his front steps and leaned back on his elbows,
ignoring the rough prickle of the concrete on his skin. he silently bemoaned
that there was nothing to do around his tranquil neighborhood in the
summertime. squinting up at the cloudless sky, the tall teenager shook his head.
it was definitely too hot for basketball, even if he knew any guys to shoot
baskets with. benjamin shut his eyes and tipped his face up to the sun. the sun
glowed through his eyelids, but he stayed that way, listening to the
neighborhood sounds. traffic rumbled on fremont avenue, and someones dog
barked repetitively. a lawn mower buzzed back and forth blocks away, while
squeals and splashes exploded from the little kids playing in the backyard next
door. it was nothing but the omnipresent summer soundtrack, so ordinary it
blended together as a hum of background sound, noise without meaning. and

which situation in the selection is an example of irony?
a. benjamin is able to discern an artists noise over all of the other noises he hears.
b. the artist initially appears hostile to benjamin but warms to his presence.
c. the artist is amused by benjamin and invites him to return the next day to observe the progress
of her work.
d. benjamin thinks of his neighborhood as quiet only to learn that an artist is noisily
constructing a piece of art nearby.

Explanation:

Irony occurs when there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. Benjamin expects his neighborhood to be quiet (as he bemoans there's nothing to do and it's a "tranquil neighborhood"), but then discovers an artist making noise (noisily constructing art). This contrast between expectation (quiet neighborhood) and reality (noisy art - construction) is an example of irony. Options A, B, and C do not show such a contrast between expectation and reality.

Answer:

D. Benjamin thinks of his neighborhood as quiet only to learn that an artist is noisily constructing a piece of art nearby.