Question

review the passage. the verbal irony is shown in bold.

my father, a fireman, had discouraged me from learning anything about the workings of
the internal - combustion engine. when i said i wanted to learn how cars worked, he said,
\its easy. ill tell you everything you need to know. you put the key in the ignition and
you turn it.\

thanks, dad. to his credit, he had also advised me to cultivate a mechanic at a local gas
station. but out in the vermont countryside there were no gas stations—just a pump at
marbles store, where you could leave the keys in the car and marble would move it if it
was in the way.

from mary norris, \holy writ.\ copyright 2015 by condé nast
what is the effect of the verbal irony on the passages meaning or tone?

it shows that the narrator is annoyed by her fathers

it contributes to a grateful tone.

Explanation:

The father's explanation of how cars work is unhelpful (just turning the key), and the narrator says "Thanks, Dad" ironically. This irony reveals the narrator's annoyance because the father didn't actually teach her about the engine, so the first option fits. The "grateful tone" option is incorrect as the irony is sarcastic, not sincere gratitude.

Answer:

It shows that the narrator is annoyed by her father’s response.