Saying 'What lovely weather!' during a hurricane demonstrates?

• A. Sarcasm
• B. Hyperbole
• C. Irony
• D. Oxymoron

Answer: (C)

Verbal irony is being tested. Saying “What lovely weather!” during a hurricane contrasts what the words claim with the reality of a dangerous storm. The phrase literally praises the weather, but the situation shows it’s anything but lovely, so the meaning conveyed is the opposite of what’s said. The effect is a pointed contrast between words and reality. It’s not hyperbole, since there isn’t an obvious exaggeration about the weather. It isn’t an oxymoron, because the words don’t pair two opposite terms in a single expression. It also isn’t necessarily sarcasm, which would usually aim to mock someone; here the focus is on the weather itself. So the line best demonstrates irony.