The key answer of exercise 6

Conversation 1

• Oh dear. Am I showing my age? → Not ironic. It’s true that when she mentioned Steffi Graf, she’s showing her age.
• Oh, right. Very close! → Ironic. In reality, 6-4, 6-1 isn’t close at all.
• The coaching sessions are paying off, then. → Ironic. She means she doesn’t think they’re worth the money or time spent on them.
• Well, that’s because you’re so ancient and she’s so young. → Ironic. Mena may be younger but this is deliberately exaggerated.

Conversation 2

• Sorry – a memory like a sieve. → Not ironic. He really does have a bad memory and forgot about the sponsorship.
• I’ve had that playing football and I was just clutching my leg in agony. → Not ironic. It really happened.
• ... but I managed to get over it. → Not ironic. It’s true.
• That’s a bit much! You only did 7K in 30-degree heat round swarms of jellyfish. → Ironic. The real meaning is the speaker thinks doing 7K in 30-degree heat is very impressive.

Conversation 3

• Manu managed to kick the ball over the bar from about a metre out. → Ironic. The meaning is it was very hard to miss.
• He is totally useless ... → Ironic. The player then scored an amazing goal.
• ... the Arsenal keeper messed up badly. → Not ironic. It’s true.
• ... who made a huge difference. → Not ironic. It’s true. He scored a great goal.