Question

Which of these sentences is an example of paradox?

Answer 1

Answer:

The sentence that is an example of a paradox is the following one: She tried to quiet the silence (D).

Explanation:

Paradox means "contrary to expectations or existing belief". It is a statement which appears to be silly or self-contradictory. In this case, the sentence suggests that there already is silence in the room since she is trying to quiet it. Yet silence is already quiet, so what does she need to quiet it? If silence is not quiet, then there is noise. Still, the sentence states that there is silence in the room.  What this paradox seems to suggest is that the room is not silent enough.

Answer 2

Answer:

The sentence that is an example of paradox is letter D) She tried to quiet the silence.

Explanation:

A paradox is a statement that may seem to be contradictory, illogical, or simply absurd. Still, after investigating further or after merely waiting for some time, the statement can prove itself true and well founded. A famous example is "less is more." Even though the ideas of less and more are completely opposites, the statement can be truthful in certain situations. For example, a person who talks less is often seen as more intelligent.

Among the option provided in the question, the one that is a paradox is letter D) She tried to quiet the silence. At first, we may think that silence does not need to be quieted, or that it is impossible to quiet something that is, essentially, quiet. However, depending on the context, this sentence might make perfect sense. Suppose the moment of silence comes after a moment of trouble or of intense emotions. Silence may become quite oppressive in such context, when the person is left alone with her thoughts after commotion. She may try to do something to quiet the silence, to make it less tense, less imposing, probably by finding something to do or to listen to.