Read the excerpt from "The Storyteller.” "You don’t seem to be a success as a storyteller,” said the bachelor suddenly from his
corner. The aunt bristled in instant defense at this unexpected attack. "It’s a very difficult thing to tell stories that children can both understand and appreciate,” she said stiffly. "I don’t agree with you,” said the bachelor. "Perhaps you would like to tell them a story,” was the aunt’s retort. "Tell us a story,” demanded the bigger of the small girls. "Once upon a time,” began the bachelor, "there was a little girl called Bertha, who was extraordinarily good.” The children’s momentarily-aroused interest began at once to flicker; all stories seemed dreadfully alike, no matter who told them. Which statement best explains the situational irony that occurs in the passage? The aunt wants the bachelor to tell a good story, but he does not. The bachelor fears that the children will not like his story, but they do. The bigger girl does not expect the bachelor to tell a story, but he does. The aunt does not expect the bachelor to tell a story, but he does.
The aunt does not expect the bachelor to tell a story, but he does is the correct answer.
Explanation:
The Storyteller is a short story written byHector Hugh Munro, pen name Saki, and it occurs during a road trip. The characters are the ones mentioned in the excerpt, the kids, the aunt, and the bachelor.
Irony refers to the contrast between what is expected and what really happens. There are two examples of it in the excerpt: first one is the correct answer, since the real expectations were that the bachelor would remain silent, but he doesn't; and the second one after the bachelor starts talking, when the kids seem to be interested but then they realize that all stories were the same.
The aunt was only taunting him to tell a story, probably hoping he would back down and stop criticizing her. So the answer is The aunt does not expect the bachelor to tell a story, but he does. The ironic part is that the kids get tired of him immediately
