Final answer:
The lines "When is the pause after that sentence ever broken by reply? Not, perhaps, once in a hundred years." exemplify irony, as they contrast the expectations of conversation with the reality of a reply that almost never comes. This contradicts stream of consciousness, foreshadowing, flashback, and in media res. The correct answer to the student's question is 'D. irony'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line "When is the pause after that sentence ever broken by reply? Not, perhaps, once in a hundred years." can be best described as an example of irony. This figure of speech involves a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality, often in a humorous or emphatic way. It is ironic because the phrase suggests an expectation of a reply that virtually never comes, highlighting the rarity of such an occurrence, which contradicts the natural human expectation of conversation and response.
Stream of consciousness is known for its seamless transitions into the characters' points of view and thoughts, as if the reader is experiencing the flow of the characters' minds. However, this example does not showcase that style. In contrast, foreshadowing gives hints or clues about what might happen in the future, which is not the case in the given lines. A flashback would involve a return to an earlier time in the narrative, which also does not occur here. Lastly, in media res refers to a story that begins in the middle of events, which is not indicated by these particular lines.
To conclude, the best option to describe the given lines is 'D. irony'. The unexpected lack of response heightens the effect of the statement and brings out the irony intended by the author.