Sarcasm
A student says to their classmate, “Wow, you’re so responsible!” after the classmate admits they forgot their homework for the third time this week.
Question: Is the student being sarcastic? How do you know?
Yes, this is sarcasm. The exaggerated praise doesn’t match the situation, suggesting they mean the opposite.
Sarah’s friend gives her unsolicited advice on how to improve her social media profile. Sarah nods politely but feels a knot in her stomach.
Question: What emotion is Sarah likely feeling?
Sarah is likely feeling resentment and confusion. The advice was unsolicited, which may have triggered irritation, but her uncertainty about how to respond may lead to confusion as well.
“He really threw me under the bus with that comment.” What does “threw me under the bus” mean?
It means he betrayed me or made me look bad to save himself.
You’re walking down a crowded hallway and accidentally bump into someone, causing them to drop their notebook. They don’t seem upset and quickly pick it up, saying, “It’s fine.”
Should you apologize? Why or why not?
Yes, a quick apology shows courtesy and acknowledges the mistake, even if they say it’s fine. It maintains positive social interactions.
A friend tells you they started a new hobby. What’s a good follow-up question?
"What got you interested in that hobby?"
As rain pours down, someone looks out the window and says, “What a perfect day for a picnic!”
Question: Is this sarcasm? How do you know?
Yes, this is sarcasm. The statement contrasts with the reality of the situation, implying the opposite.
Marcus has always dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player, but after years of trying and facing multiple rejections, he begins to feel that it might not be possible.
Marcus is likely feeling disillusionment and grief. His realization that his dream may be unachievable brings a profound sense of disappointment and loss.
“I’m going to play it by ear and see what happens.” What does “play it by ear” mean?
It means to go with the flow or make decisions as things unfold without planning everything.
Scenario: You borrowed a friend’s pen during class without asking because you forgot yours. Later, they notice and say, “Hey, did you take my pen?” but they don’t seem angry.
Should you apologize? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes, apologize for not asking first. Even though they’re not angry, it’s important to show respect for their belongings.
A classmate says they’re excited about an upcoming vacation. What could you ask to learn more?
"Where are you going?"
At dinner, someone says, “Mmm, just like Mom used to burn it,” after taking a bite of an overcooked dish. Question: Is this sarcasm? How do you know?
Yes, this is sarcasm. The statement is ironic, as the word "burn" usually isn't used positively for food.
James didn’t apply for a job he really wanted because he didn’t feel confident enough. Later, he finds out the position was filled by someone else
James is likely feeling self-doubt and inadequacy. While regret is part of the mix, his inner critique about his lack of confidence and his belief that he missed his chance bring a deeper sense of personal inadequacy.
During a heated debate in class, Maria wanted to argue back when a classmate said something she disagreed with. However, she remembered the teacher’s rule about respectful discussions and decided to hold her tongue. What does hold her tongue mean?
It means to stop yourself from saying something you shouldn't.
Scenario: Your friend asks if you like their drawing, and you say, “It’s good, but the colors could match better.” They look a little disappointed but thank you for your honesty.
Should you apologize? Why or why not?
No, you don’t need to apologize because they asked for your opinion. Instead, you could add something encouraging, like, “I really like the overall idea!” to balance the feedback.
Your teacher mentions they had an interesting weekend. How could you respond with a follow-up question?
"What did you do over the weekend?"
A teacher says, “Oh, I didn’t even notice,” when a student walks in 20 minutes late to class.
Question: Is the teacher being sarcastic? How do you know?
Yes, this is sarcasm. The tone and context suggest the teacher obviously noticed, and the comment is meant to highlight the tardiness.
Maya watches her sibling struggle with a personal issue. Although she wants to help, she recognizes she can’t fix the situation.
Maya is likely feeling helplessness, sadness, and guilt. She wants to assist but is unable to, and that causes her to feel frustration and sadness for her sibling’s pain, along with guilt for her perceived inability to help.
Jake's car broke down on his way to work, and while waiting for a tow truck, he got a call that his project deadline was moved up. He sighed and thought, "When it rains, it pours." What does this mean?
misfortunes or difficult situations tend to follow each other in rapid succession or to arrive all at the same time.
Scenario: In a group chat, you respond seriously to a message that was meant to be a joke. The person clarifies, and everyone laughs, including you.
Should you apologize? Why or why not?
No, an apology isn’t needed because no one seems upset. Laughing along and moving on shows you understand the humor now.
A family member says they’re preparing for a big event. What follow-up question could you ask?
"What kind of event is it?"
After their computer crashes for the third time that day, someone says, “Wow, this thing is so reliable.”
Question: Is this sarcasm? How do you know?
Yes, this is sarcasm. The statement is clearly the opposite of their actual frustration with the unreliable computer.
Olivia has been offered a new job that pays more, but it requires moving to a new city far from her family and friends.
Olivia is likely feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, and guilt. She is thrilled about the job offer but feels nervous about the life changes it will bring and guilty about leaving her support network behind.
During a team meeting, Mark joked about how disorganized the files were, only to realize the new intern who had just organized them was sitting right there. Embarrassed, Mark thought to himself, "I really put my foot in my mouth this time."
to say or do something that was embarrassing or that you shouldn't have done.
Scenario: You told a classmate about a surprise party for your teacher, not realizing it was supposed to be a secret. Later, another student says, “I think you might have ruined the surprise.”
Should you apologize? Why or why not?
Yes, apologize because your action unintentionally caused a problem. You could also offer to help fix the situation, like making sure the teacher doesn’t find out.
Mia tells her friend Logan, “I had the worst day at school today. I failed my science test and forgot my lunch at home.”
Logan could ask, “What happened with the science test? Did you study for it?” or “Did you end up getting anything to eat?”