Contrasts between expectations and reality or the existence of contradictory meanings in the same situation add depth and realism. This is described by which term?

• A. Irony
• B. Connotation
• C. Imagery
• D. Nuance

Answer: (A)

Irony is the device that captures the difference between what people expect and what actually happens, or when the meaning conveyed is opposite to the surface meaning. That mismatch between appearances and reality adds depth by prompting readers to notice the twist and think more deeply about the situation. Verbal irony expresses this through saying the opposite of what is meant, situational irony happens when outcomes defy expectations, and dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than the characters. Connotation, imagery, and nuance involve word associations, sensory detail, and subtle shades of meaning, but they don’t center on the explicit contrast between expectation and outcome that defines irony.