Exploring Understatement and Overstatement

What is the purpose of the style notes mentioned in the introduction?

• To teach grammar rules.

• To provide a list of vocabulary words.

• To offer a guide on punctuation.

• To help writers add sentence variety and style to their writing.

What is overstatement?

• Describing something exactly as it is.

• Using metaphors to describe something.

• Making something small sound major to make a point.

• Making something major sound small to make a point.

Which of the following is an example of overstatement?

• You lost your pencil, how will you ever pass high school now?

• If we pass prop 1A, only a few thousand teenagers will die in car crashes.

• Moaning Myrtle is a little sensitive.

• I have a tiny little tumor on the brain.

What is understatement?

• Describing something exactly as it is.

• Using hyperbole to describe something.

• Making something small sound major to make a point.

• Making something major sound small to make a point.

Which of the following is an example of understatement?

• If we pass prop 1A, only a few thousand teenagers will die in car crashes.

• You lost your pencil, how will you ever pass high school now?

• We should ban swearing in public because it will end the world.

• I stubbed my toe and now I fear I must amputate my foot.

In the practice section, what is the example given from 'Catcher in the Rye'?

• You lost your pencil, how will you ever pass high school now?

• We should ban swearing in public because it will end the world.

• I have to have this operation, it isn’t very serious, I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.

• Moaning Myrtle is a little sensitive.

How is Moaning Myrtle described to illustrate understatement?

• As being a little sensitive.

• As being overly dramatic.

• As being extremely angry.

• As being very happy.

What is the purpose of the 'Use It' box in the application section?

• To practice using understatement or overstatement to describe an injury.

• To write a summary of the lesson.

• To list vocabulary words.

• To create a new story.

Which of the following is an example of overstatement given in the application section?

• I stubbed my toe and now I fear I must amputate my foot.

• Moaning Myrtle is a little sensitive.

• I have a tiny little tumor on the brain.

• If we pass prop 1A, only a few thousand teenagers will die in car crashes.

What should you ensure when using sarcasm in your writing?

• Only use it in formal writing.

• Use it in every sentence.

• Make it painfully clear to your audience that you are being sarcastic.

• Avoid using it altogether.