WorksheetsSuspense, Humor, and Irony
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 8mins
There once was a man whose head and hands worked together to solve problems. One day, the man's head was very cold. The head asked the hands to help. The hands came up with a plan and placed a cap on the head. The head said to the hands, "Way to put on the old thinking cap!"
What is humorous about the statement that the head made to the hands?
A "thinking cap" is a metaphor for making a plan, and a cap is a hat that would keep the head warm.
Hands and heads cannot really talk to each other, so anything they "said" would be humorous.
The hands cannot think without the head's help, so the head is being silly and rude to the hands.
The head points out that the thinking cap is "old," which is probably meant to embarrass the hands.
Stage Set: The living room. Peter steps on paint spilled near the front door and walks into the living room. He walks about searching for something and looks down on the carpet after he has walked on it for a while.
PETER:Kids! Kids!
JEREMIAH:(from his room) Yes, Father.
PETER:Have you seen the new carpet? Have you seen what someone did to the new carpet?
FRANKIE :(walking in) Whoa! That looks hilarious. There's like paint everywhere!
PETER:It is not like hilarious, son! I paid for the new carpet.
DINA:(from the kitchen) Don't tell me I heard the words "paint" and "carpet" together?
JEREMIAH:(still in his room) Seriously! Paint on the carpet. Send me a picture from your phone!
PETER:Jay! You are sitting right next to the living room. You can drag your legs here and see the mess for yourself. There's a limit to laziness, son.
JEREMIAH:But, Dad! Today is Sunday—the day of rest!
Which of these is true about this play?
The author creates suspense through Dina's words.
The characters are unaware of each others' thoughts.
The irony lies in the fact that Peter is in the living room.
The author uses dramatic irony to create humor.
Stage Set: Vicky's living room.
SELENA:(leaving a voice mail on VICKY and GOMEZ's phone) Hey, guys. I just wanted to make sure you know that this year it is a no costume party. I would have wanted it to be, but Mom and Dad wanted it to be simple to honor Granny—you know—she is in the hospital and all. Just come as yourself. Six, my place. Bye.
(VICKY and GOMEZ enter the living room from their bedrooms.)
VICKY:We are going to rock the party this year.
GOMEZ:No doubt about it.
VICKY:I mean, you look like an actual robot.
GOMEZ:And your parrot and hook and eye-patch look awesome.
VICKY:Yeah. We will get the costume award. Yup. No doubt about it.
GOMEZ:Let's take something for Granny.
VICKY:Yeah. I am sure they miss her. We'll take flowers. Let's hit the road.
GOMEZ:Alright, mate.
GOMEZ, VICKY:Arr.
How is dramatic irony used in this play?
to create imagery based on the stage setting
to create humor by what Vicky and Gomez wear
to create sympathy for the character of Granny
to create sorrow based on Selena's actions
Stage Set: Syd's room. Tom and Kate are unaware of the fact that Syd, who had gone out to help a friend with homework, has returned home early. He is eavesdropping on his parents' conversation.
TOM:Can you believe it? Our son going off to college?KATE:Wow. Seems like he was born yesterday. He was a tiny little thing at five pounds. Now, he is going on a football scholarship.
TOM:How did we get so lucky?
KATE:I think he is pretty lucky, too. I did not get a new car until I was 28.
TOM:Well, he is an excellent driver, and he will be driving home every other weekend.
KATE:You think he will be like that?
TOM:Our kid? He appreciates your dinner every night. You think he is not going to like the new car? He'd be thrilled!
KATE:I wish I could kiss good night and tuck him in like when he was a baby.
TOM:Well, good thing he is not home. He would be so embarrassed. He is 17!
Which of these best explains the irony in this play?
The parents falsely believe that Syd is an excellent driver.
Only the audience knows that Syd is actually in his room.
Only the father knows that the son really hates football.
The parents have bought a new car for a teenager.
The Smiths had a fancy party at their home. Their dog, Winslow, was allowed to stay inside during the party. Winslow was very well-behaved. He walked quietly around the room and stopped to sit by a group of guests that were talking. One female party guest said to a male guest, "Did you notice that the dog has a fur coat and pants?"
What is humorous about the guest's question to the other guest?
Winslow is showing very good manners, so the lady's statement is funny because she is being rude to the dog
"Pants" can mean that the dog is breathing fast or that it is wearing a clothing item that covers its lower body.
The female party guest's question is funny because she is a female talking to a male party guest about fashion.
It sounds like the woman is jealous of the dog's fur, and she is trying to see if anyone else likes it better than her outfit.
Look at the opening of a joke below.
Two pencils competed in a race.
Which of these responses completes the joke with a pun?
They forgot their shoes.
They ran in major style.
The paper was slippery.
The result was a draw.
I am a college student. I am studying to be an accountant—someone who keeps track of businesses' finances. Right now, I don't have much money to buy things or to go out with my friends. I am pretty good at baking bread and cakes. Therefore, I got a job as a baker because _______.
Which phrase completes the pun in the sentence from the passage?
I smell like flour
I am soft
I knead dough
I like cake
One Monday morning at school, Anuja made Tiesha laugh really hard. When Tiesha regained her breath, she said, "Anuja, you crack me up!"
Anuja wittily replied, "I don't know how you stay intact with all of that cracking up."
Tiesha fell into another fit of laughter, and Anuja grinned.
What is funny about Anuja's statement: "I don't know how you stay intact with all of that cracking up"?
Anuja uses the literal meaning of "cracking up" to make a joke.
Anuja pretends that she does not know why Tiesha is laughing.
Tiesha has to wrap herself in tape to keep from breaking apart.
Tiesha knows that Anuja likes to crack eggs and throw them at her.
It was a hot, sunny day. I took my bicycle for a long ride. I rode it down the long road and across the bridge over the lake. I was having such a good time with my trusty friend. But after an hour or so, my bicycle seemed worn out. I wanted to go to the top of King's Hill. However, my bicycle just couldn't make it up the hill because _______.
Which of these responses completes the joke with a pun?
it ran out of gas
it ran its course
it was two-tired
it fell asleep at the wheel
Mrs. Avery ordered a large pizza for her family's dinner. Her 12-year-old son, Shawn, answered the door when the delivery person brought the pizza to the house. Shawn paid for the pizza and took it to the kitchen. He was very hungry and started eating it straight out of the box.
Mrs. Avery walked into the kitchen several minutes later and sternly asked, "Well, Son, how is the pizza?"
At that moment, Shawn finished eating the whole left side of the pizza.
Which of the following responses would make Shawn's answer a pun?
"That was cheesy."
"Where did it go?"
"My belly is stuffed."
"It's all right now."
