WAEC 2023 Literature in English · Question 13

That girl is too young to be put in the family way illustrates

Options

  1. A.euphemism
  2. B.hyperbole
  3. C.oxymoron
  4. D.paradox

Answer: A. euphemism

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence is "That girl is too young to be put in the family way." We need to identify the figure of speech.

Step 2: Understand the concept

  • Euphemism: a mild or indirect expression used in place of one that may sound harsh, blunt, or embarrassing (e.g., "passed away" for "died").
  • Hyperbole: deliberate exaggeration for effect (e.g., "I've told you a million times").
  • Oxymoron: two contradictory words placed together (e.g., "bitter-sweet," "deafening silence").
  • Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth.

Step 3: Apply to the sentence "Put in the family way" is a polite, indirect way of saying "made pregnant." Pregnancy is a topic that people often avoid stating bluntly, so a softer phrase is used instead.

  • It is not an exaggeration, so it is not hyperbole.
  • It has no pair of contradictory words, so it is not an oxymoron.
  • It is not a seemingly contradictory statement with hidden truth, so it is not a paradox.

Step 4: Answer The phrase "in the family way" softens the word "pregnant," so it is a euphemism.

Tip: Ask yourself, "Is the speaker avoiding a blunt word?" If yes, think euphemism. Common examples are "passed away" (died), "relieve oneself" (use the toilet), and "in the family way" (pregnant). Keep going, you're doing well!

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