Comprehension Skills Irony Paradox
Comprehension Skills Irony Paradox
Comprehension Skills Irony Paradox
a) Paradox
What is a Paradox?
- An improbable combination of two opposing ideas.
Principles of explaining paradoxes:
The contradictory factors are usually placed side by side, hence resulting in a paradox. When
explaining, use key phrases like:
o It is paradoxical that
o On the one handon the other hand
o This is contradictory as
E.g. they place much of the blame on the very same technologies that they were so
aggressively championing.
Possible answer: It is paradoxical that while they actively advocate the benefits of technology,
they also find fault in the same technology for the various problems that have arisen in
society.
1. TJC Prelim 2003
Recent incidents, such as the projectile-throwing tantrum of the Yankees-Red Sox
game in Fenway Park and the abuse of European golfers at the Ryder Cup in
Brookline, Massachusetts, suggest an answer: legal hooliganism. Teams will
sponsor cells of well-trained, remorseless thugs ready at any moment to storm the
field and waylay players. Athletes will be expected to hone those skills necessary to
contend with this exciting new variable.
Explain the paradox in the phrase legal hooliganism (line 37) [1m]
symbols, dreams and feelings that go back to primitive times and reflect memories
of our ancestors experiences.
Explain why the collective neurosis (line 1-2) is paradoxical in nature. [1]
Answers On Paradox
1. TJC Prelim 2003
Explain the paradox in the phrase legal hooliganism(line 37)
Hooliganism is an act that is not approved by law and so cannot be legal. The phrase is a
contradiction (1m)
2. AJC Prelim 2008
(a) What contradiction is the author highlighting here about mans working life
(lines 2-7)? Use your own words as far as possible.
(1
mark)
Lift
Suggested answers
Mar
k
1
Inference / Paraphrase
Although people emphasise their own
comfort / look after their own wellbeing and thus expect to enjoy life,
(m)
*focus is on convenience give if
that is clearly covered, but 0 if only
delights is paraphrased (eg. for
benefits, 0 for happiness)
b) Irony
What is an irony?
- The words employed are clearly opposite in its meaning. They could be used for a humorous
effect, or simply to express sarcasm or annoyance.
o Principles of answering questions on ironies are similar to that of the paradox.
E.g. It is wonderfully ironic that after decades of struggle to achieve a shorter working week,
those who now aspire to the top are obliged to do so by working themselves to the ground.
Possible answer: The irony lies in the fact that, on the one hand, people have fought so hard
to enjoy more leisure time by working a shorter work week. However, in their climb up the
corporate ladder, they end up working harder and longer than before to secure their high
postions. The outcome is a direct contradiction to their initial aim of striving for a shorter
work week.
EXERCISES ON IRONY
2002 Promotional Examinations
1. PJC (Passage A, Para 1)
The irony of the obesity issue is that the pressure for slenderness posed by the
American society is making people even more overweight. The 1980s and 1990s
were supposed to be times when people started to care more about their health.
In this sense, obesity began to be seen as a threat. Exercise has been highly
valued and recreation centres proliferated everywhere. Fat became an enemy. As
noted earlier, low calorie and low fat food became plentifully available. The
contradiction resides on the fast increasing rate of overweight among men and
women, from almost all ages and origins during this period. The psychological
issues related to these contemporary pressures could give further
understanding to such a problem.
Why does the writer use the word irony in paragraph 1? (2m)
[2]
unity in this. The task before us is to find the great truth of this unity, to transcend
the repetitions and contradictions of our earthly experience and discover the unity
of the world. This may be what civilisation is all about.
Ensuring that we allow for different cultures and people to coexist and flourish alongside one
another is as important a priority today as ever (lines 39-40). Explain the irony in this
statement. [2]
ANSWERS ON IRONY
2002 Promotional Examinations
1. PJC (Passage A, Para 1)
Why does the writer use the word irony in paragraph 1? (2m)
From the Passage
the pressure of slenderness posed by the
American society is making people even more
overweight (lines 1-2)
The contradiction resides on the fast
increasing rate of overweight among men and
women (line 7-8)
Suggested Answer
American desire (especially womens) to be
slim but the stress following this leads to
people becoming even more overweight /
heavier. (1m) <- context
Thereby sabotaging/ becoming opposite to
their original intention to be slim (1m) <intention
Suggested Answer
Men want to be influential / strong /
dominant / be in positions of authority /
control (1m) BUT
Male models exemplify / represent /
symbolize/ stand for inactivity / compliance /
are inactive submission (1m)
The irony lies ion honouring two local heroes who represented/ supported totally
contradictory world views / aspirations / ideals / ideologies / causes. Arthur
Ashe a black tennis player, is an inspirational role model for racial equality / black
achievement, while Jefferson Davis, a white Confederate leader, supported slavery /
cruelly discrimination against black people.
ANSWER
[2]
ACCEPTED ANSWERS
Word for word paraphrase:
The reason behind the competition for talent is
that those who are most skilled will reap the
most benefits/stand to gain the most.
MARK
1
1
1
1
Paraphrased
Expected: different cultures and people
cannot live with each other or cannot
cooperate
Yet: reality is that author says that there
is some kind of cohesion in this apparent
state of variation or difference.
(1 mark)
Suggested answers
Mark
10