Question

Which of the following is NOT an example of irony?
A. A left-handed person is called “Lefty”
B. A tall person is called “Shorty”
C. An arrogant criminal gets caught.
D. A best-selling writer’s latest novel is a flop.

Answer 1

Hint: Figure of speech is an intentional deviation from ordinary language or it is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition.

Complete step by step answer:
Figures of speech in English are: simile, metaphor, personification, apostrophe and etc. are used to convey the meaning other than the literal meaning.
Irony is a figure of speech in which there is a contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is really meant. It is characterized by a contrast between reality and appearance. There are three types of irony: verbal, dramatic and situational.
Option A) A left-handed person is called “Lefty” – is not an irony because any person who writes from the left hand is called a lefty. Thus, we will not consider this as an irony because the literal meaning of irony does not fall in this sentence. Thus, this is the correct answer as this is not an example of irony.
Option B) A tall person is called “Shorty” – is an incorrect answer because there is a contrast between a person being tall and someone calling him shorty. There is verbal irony. Verbal irony shows a contrast between what is said and what is meant. In this sentence a tall person is called short. Thus, this is an example of irony and hence, incorrect option.
Option C) A arrogant criminal gets caught – is an incorrect answer because it is a situational irony. Situational irony occurs when the actual result of the situation is totally different i.e. opposite from what it is expected. In this sentence the criminal can only be arrogant and it is good if he’s not getting caught, however, in this situation the criminal gets caught. Thus, there is a contrast between what we expect from the situation and what the actual result is. Hence, this is an incorrect option as this is an example of irony.
Option D) A best-selling writer’s latest novel is a flop – is an incorrect answer because this is also a situational irony. Situational irony occurs when the actual result of the situation is totally different i.e. opposite from what it is expected. In this sentence the best-selling writer is releasing a new novel and we would expect a best-selling author’s next novel to be hit as well. However, the opposite happens i.e. the novel is a flop. Thus, there is a contrast between what we expect from the situation and what the actual result is. Hence, this is an incorrect option as this is an example of irony.

A left-handed person is called “Lefty” (option A) is NOT an example of irony.

Note:
Irony is the expression that normally signifies the opposite in meaning or sarcasm. There are different types of irony:
1. Verbal irony uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. For example: A boy stepping out into a hurricane and saying, “What nice weather we're having!”
2. Situational irony occurs when actions or events have the opposite result from what is expected or what is intended. For example: A fire station burns down.
3. Dramatic irony is an important stylistic device, creating situations in which the audience knows more about the situations, the causes of conflicts, and their resolutions before the leading characters or actors. For example: In a scary movie, the character goes into a house they think is empty, but the audience knows the killer is in the house.