Sarcasm
Your friend says, “Oh great, another rainy day—just what I needed,” while looking annoyed. Are they being sarcastic?
Yes, they’re being sarcastic and likely dislike the rain.
A friend says they’re “fine” after a disappointing game, but they’re unusually quiet. What might they be feeling?
They could be feeling disappointed or upset but are trying not to show it.
“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 accidentally bump into someone in the hallway. Should you apologize?
Yes, a quick apology is appropriate.
A friend tells you they started a new hobby. What’s a good follow-up question?
"What got you interested in that hobby?"
You just finished a big project, and your classmate says, “Wow, that must’ve been so easy for you!” when they know you struggled. What might they mean?
They are being sarcastic and likely mean the project was difficult for you.
A classmate has been sighing and looking away during a group discussion. What could this indicate?
They might be feeling bored, frustrated, or uninterested in the discussion.
“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.
A friend is upset because you couldn’t go to their party due to family obligations. Should you apologize?
Yes, acknowledging their disappointment and apologizing is thoughtful, even though it wasn’t your fault.
A classmate says they’re excited about an upcoming vacation. What could you ask to learn more?
"Where are you going?"
A sibling says, “Sure, take your time,” while tapping their foot impatiently. What might their tone of sarcasm imply?
They actually want you to hurry up.
Someone is visibly smiling and congratulating a friend on an award they also wanted. What complex emotions might they be experiencing?
They might feel happy for their friend but also jealous or disappointed.
“She hit the nail on the head with her answer.” What does this mean?
It means she was exactly right or understood the situation perfectly.
A classmate is angry because they missed class and didn’t understand the assignment. Should you apologize?
No, you’re not responsible for their absence, but you could offer to help explain the assignment.
Your teacher mentions they had an interesting weekend. How could you respond with a follow-up question?
"What did you do over the weekend?"
During a group project, Ava sees her teammate Jordan doodling instead of working. She says, “Wow, Jordan, you’re working SO hard. I can tell you’re really putting in a ton of effort.”
Yes, Ava was being sarcastic. Her words imply the opposite of what she actually means—Jordan isn’t contributing to the project.
Your sibling is acting irritated but won’t talk about what’s bothering them. What might they be feeling?
They could be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or embarrassed and aren’t ready to discuss it.
“I can’t believe he let the cat out of the bag!” What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
It means he revealed a secret or shared information that was meant to be kept private.
You said something that unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings, but you meant no harm. Should you apologize?
Yes, it’s respectful to apologize since your words caused them to feel hurt, even if it wasn’t on purpose.
A family member says they’re preparing for a big event. What follow-up question could you ask?
"What kind of event is it?"
Ella walks into class and sees her friend Liam looking exhausted. Ella says, “Wow, Liam, you look like you got a full eight hours of sleep last night.”
Yes, Ella was being sarcastic. Liam clearly looks tired, so her comment is the opposite of what she really means.
After a basketball game, Alex sits quietly on the bench while his teammates celebrate their win. When a teammate asks what’s wrong, Alex shrugs and says, “I’m fine.”
Alex might feel conflicted—happy that the team won but disappointed in his own performance. He might also feel left out or self-conscious.
“It looks like they’re just pulling your leg.” What does “pulling your leg” mean?
It means they are joking or teasing you in a playful way.
Kayla borrowed her friend's notebook to copy down notes she missed in class. When returning it, she accidentally spilled some water on the notebook, leaving the edges damp and slightly wrinkled. Her friend notices the damage and frowns but doesn’t say anything.
Yes, Kayla should apologize because she caused damage to her friend's notebook, even if it was an accident. Apologizing shows responsibility and respect for her friend's belongings.
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?”