Which one is ironical?
1. Jake asked his friend to wake him up early. Afterwards he says:
Thanks for waking me up gently. Did you have to be so loud? You could have just shaken my shoulder.
The answer is A. Jake's friend woke him up by banging a loud gong. Jake was probably surprised and frightened, so he was being ironic when he called that 'gentle'.
2. The dog has eaten your homework. You say:
Well, the teacher will believe that! How could you do that to me, Fido? Bad doggy! Bad!
The answer is A. 'The dog ate my homework' is the classic schoolchild's explanation, which is often used as an example of a bad excuse. So no, the teacher won't believe it.
3. The new sergeant is very fierce. You say:
Perhaps he has toothache? But I'm sure he loves puppies and children. We all have a bad mood sometimes.
The answer is B. Actually you think the new sergeant probably eats puppies and children, he is that scary. You are being ironic.
4. Your friend complains your music is too loud. You say:
I didn't know I was so annoying. Well, I'll whisper from now on. Er ... you are a rock musician.
The answer is C. Rock music is well-known for being very loud. So it is ironic that a person whose job is producuing loud noises is annoyed about someone else doing it.
5. Mike is camoflaging a tank. He says:
It will look beautiful when I'm finished. I'll give you a map so you can find it. You won't know what ran over your foot.
The answer is A. The tank won't look beautiful, because you won't be able to see it at all. Mike is using irony to boast how good he is at his job.
6. You accidently hit your head on something. Your friend says 'Be careful!' You reply:
Thanks for the warning. No, it didn't hurt. Can you warn me earlier next time?
The answer is A. You had already banged your head when your friend gave you the the warning. You are using irony to tell him that it is too late to warn you now.
7. The chef has an idea for a new meal for the soldiers. His assistant says:
Er ... seriously? You are being serious? Roast squirrels? Who doesn't love eating squirrels? Please tell me they are not in the pot right now.
The answer is B. The assistant is using irony to tell the chef that this is a really terrible idea.
8. A soldier is given a live hand grenade. He asks:
How does this work? Are these things safe? What should I do with this?
The answer is B. There are no safe hand grenades. Especially not when they are live. The soldier is using irony to say this is a dangerous situation.
1. 'It couldn't have happened to a nicer person'
When someone you like wins the lottery. When a nasty person has an accident. When your bicycle is stolen.
The answer is B.
2. 'So that's what we came here to see.'
You have climbed a mountain for the view. You have travelled far to see an eclipse - and it's cloudy. There is a long queue for a movie you really want to see.
3. 'Please gentlemen, no fighting here.'
During an argument in a pub. During an argument at the office. During an argument at a boxing ring.
The answer is C.
4. 'Let me play the world's smallest violin for you.'
Your friend can only afford a second-hand Rolls-Royce. Your friend has broken his leg while playing sport. Your friend has lost his job because he was ill.
The answer is A.
5. 'Sure. I have nothing better to do.'
Someone asks you to do a small job while you are bored. Someone asks you to do a small job while you are very busy. Someone asks for help with a job you can't do.
6. 'They call him 'Mister Neat'.
A person looking at a friend's tidy clothes. A mother looking at her son's messy bedroom. A girl waiting while her boyfriend combs his hair.
7. 'Don't hurry, I'm not going anywhere.'
A friend calls to say he is late. Your sister is coming to join you on the beach. The fireman is slow getting you out of a jammed lift.
8. 'And I love you too.'
A husband when his wife has thrown a teapot at him. A boy when his girlfriend has kissed him. A woman when her cat comes to her and purrs.
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
The Past
Crime
