This question is incomplete, here´s the complete question.
Read this excerpt from "The Lottery":
The people separated good-humoredly to let her through: two or three people said, in voices just loud enough to be heard across the crowd, "here comes your missus, hutchinson," and "bill, she made it after all." mrs. hutchinson reached her husband, and mr. summers, who had been waiting, said cheerfully, "thought we were going to have to get on without you, tessie." mrs. hutchinson said grinning, "wouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink, now, would you, joe? " and soft laughter ran through the crowd as the people stirred back into position after mrs. hutchinson's arrival.
Which line from the excerpt contains irony?
a. “bill, she made it after all.”
b.“thought we were going to have to get on without you, tessie.”
c. “wouldn’t have me leave m’dishes in the sink, now, would you, joe? ”
d. “here comes your missus, hutchinson.”
Answer: b.“thought we were going to have to get on without you, tessie.”
Explanation:
At first sight, none of the choices provided seem to hold any irony. It´s only after finishing Shirley Jackson´s short story that we learn that the lottery´s purpose is to select a neighbor to be killed. Since it´s Tessie who gets chosen, Mr. Summers´ comment becomes ironic as well as a foreshadowing element in the story.
