Question

Opal's dialogue with her son at the beginning of the story demonstrates verbal irony because

A.
she seems focused on her son's words.
B.
she is extremely bored at the gathering.
C.
Reeve's remarks have not been polite.
D.
Reeve's actions have pleased Opal.

Story:
"Could you be any more polite?" Opal asked her son, Reeve.
Reeve had called his Aunt Millie "hair" as he stared at her elaborate hairstyle.
"It was an accident, Mom," Reeve replied, embarrassed. "I have been good at this party. I have tried everything, including the appetizer."
"Oh, but you haven't tried the lamb stew with pumpkins and pineapples," Opal said. "You will love it."
"Yuck," Reeve said, feeling a little queasy at the thought of the flavor combination in the stew. "Thanks for the tip, Mom. I promise I will love it."

Answer 1

Answer: C revees remarks have not been polite

Answer 2

C. Reeve's remarks have not been polite

Step-by-step explanation:

Verbal irony is a figure of speech used when a person says the opposite of what they mean. This can be explicit or deducible from the context of the speech or conversation. In the context of the speech between Reeves and his mom Opal, the first question by his mom was a verbal irony as the succeeding narration indicates.

Opal's question, "Could you be any more polite?" is ironical because Reeves was never even polite in the first place. It is interesting to use verbal irony when writing because it helps the reader to apply his sense of reasoning, and appreciate the author's use of words.