The key answer of exercise 6
The key to exercise solutions in chapter 11 - They blew it for the textbook Outcomes Advanced - Student's Book with authors Carol Nuttall and Amanda French from National Geographic Learning
Question
Work in pairs. Look at the underlined expressions in audio script 34 on page 207. Some show irony and humour, while some are just neutral. Discuss the questions for each expression.
Answer
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.