Read the following two excerpts taken from the short story *The Lost Letter*.

Excerpt A: "She lifted the crumpled envelope, her fingers trembling as if the paper itself might dissolve under the weight of her hope."

Excerpt B: "He laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the empty hallway, as if the very walls were mocking his futile attempts."

(a) Identify which excerpt conveys a more ironic tone. (b) Justify your choice by analysing at least two lexical or rhetorical features in the selected excerpt. (c) State the dominant tone of the whole story based on these excerpts.

Question

Read the following two excerpts taken from the short story *The Lost Letter*.

Excerpt A: "She lifted the crumpled envelope, her fingers trembling as if the paper itself might dissolve under the weight of her hope."

Excerpt B: "He laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the empty hallway, as if the very walls were mocking his futile attempts."

(a) Identify which excerpt conveys a more ironic tone. (b) Justify your choice by analysing at least two lexical or rhetorical features in the selected excerpt. (c) State the dominant tone of the whole story based on these excerpts.

Accepted Answer

Excerpt B; the use of "hollow" and the mocking simile creates irony; the overall tone of the story is cynical (ironic).

Waec Model Questions Vol1 2018 Literature In English Question 1

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