Read the excerpt. Pip is a young boy living with his sister and his brother-in-law
Joe, who is a blacksmith.
from Great Expectations
When I was old enough, I was to be apprenticed to Joe, and until I could assume that dignity I was not to be what Mrs. Joe called
"Pompeyed," or (as I render it) pampered. Therefore, I was not only odd-boy about the forge, but if any neighbour happened to want an extra boy
to frighten birds, or pick up stones, or do any such job, I was favoured with the employment. In order, however, that our superior position might not
be compromised thereby, a money-box was kept on the kitchen mantel-shelf, in to which it was publicly made known that all my earnings were
dropped. I have an impression that they were to be contributed eventually towards the liquidation of the National Debt, but I know I had no hope of
any personal participation in the treasure.
(from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens)
How does the use of verbal irony contribute to the reader's understanding of Pip?
1. It highlights Pip's appreciation for the advantages he is given.
2. It illustrates the author's depiction of Pip as an ambitious young man.
3. It emphasizes Pip's unfortunate situation by making it sound dignified.
4. It contributes to the view that Pip is kind and enjoys helping his neighbors.

Which sentence in this excerpt from leo tolstoy’s the death of ivan ilyich shows the human tendency to contemplate one’s past life? "but if that is so," he said to himself, "and i am leaving this life with the consciousness that i have lost all that was given me and it is impossible to rectify it—what then? " he lay on his back and began to pass his life in review in quite a new way. in the morning when he saw first his footman, then his wife, then his daughter, and then the doctor, their every word and movement confirmed to him the awful truth that had been revealed to him during the night. in them he saw himself—all that for which he had lived—and saw clearly that it was not real at all, but a terrible and huge deception which had hidden both life and death. this consciousness intensified his physical suffering tenfold. he groaned and tossed about, and pulled at his clothing which choked and stifled him. and he hated them on that account. he was given a large dose of opium and became unconscious, but at noon his sufferings began again. he drove everybody away and tossed from side to side. his wife came to him and said: "jean, my dear, do this for me. it can't do any harm and often . healthy people often do it." he opened his eyes wide. "what? take communion? why? it's unnecessary! " she began to cry. "yes, do, my dear. i'll send for our priest. he is such a nice man." "all right. very well," he muttered. when the priest came and heard his confession, ivan ilyich was softened and seemed to feel a relief from his doubts and consequently from his sufferings, and for a moment there came a ray of hope. he again began to think of the vermiform appendix and the possibility of correcting it. he received the sacrament with tears in his eyes.