Which term describes the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens?

Which term describes the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens?

• A. Irony
• B. Foreshadowing
• C. Symbolism
• D. Flashback

Answer: (A)

Irony captures the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. When the outcome defies those expectations, the result is irony, often used to create a twist, surprise, or critique. There are different forms, like situational irony where the real outcome is opposite of what people anticipate, or verbal irony where someone says the opposite of what they mean. The other terms refer to different devices: foreshadowing hints at future events, symbolism uses objects to represent ideas, and a flashback shows a past moment. So the contrast between expectation and reality is best described as irony.

Irony captures the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. When the outcome defies those expectations, the result is irony, often used to create a twist, surprise, or critique. There are different forms, like situational irony where the real outcome is opposite of what people anticipate, or verbal irony where someone says the opposite of what they mean. The other terms refer to different devices: foreshadowing hints at future events, symbolism uses objects to represent ideas, and a flashback shows a past moment. So the contrast between expectation and reality is best described as irony.