Task: Identify the oxymorons in each sentence and explain their meaning.
#### Definition Recap:
An
oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory terms to create an effect. The contradiction often highlights a deeper truth or irony.
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Solution:
#### 1.
Her drawings are painfully beautiful.
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Oxymoron: *Painfully beautiful*
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Explanation: This oxymoron suggests that the drawings evoke a sense of beauty that is so intense it causes pain, perhaps because of their emotional depth or complexity.
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#### 2.
The performers drew a small crowd.
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Oxymoron: *Small crowd*
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Explanation: A "crowd" typically implies a large group of people, but "small crowd" creates a contradiction. It suggests that there were fewer people than expected or desired at the performance.
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#### 3.
His answer was almost exactly the same.
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Oxymoron: *Almost exactly*
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Explanation: "Almost" means not quite, while "exactly" means precisely. Together, they create a contradiction, indicating that the answer was very close to being identical but not completely the same.
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#### 4.
Not every country believes in free trade.
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Oxymoron: *Free trade*
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Explanation: "Free trade" can be seen as an oxymoron because true "free" trade often involves regulations and restrictions, which contradict the idea of freedom. Here, the phrase highlights the complexities and limitations of free trade policies.
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#### 5.
She gave a silent scream of frustration.
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Oxymoron: *Silent scream*
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Explanation: A "scream" is typically loud and vocal, but "silent" contradicts this expectation. This oxymoron emphasizes the intensity of her frustration, even though she did not physically scream.
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#### 6.
That dog is pretty ugly.
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Oxymoron: *Pretty ugly*
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Explanation: "Pretty" usually describes something attractive, while "ugly" describes something unattractive. The oxymoron here might suggest that the dog has some redeeming qualities despite its ugliness, or it could be used humorously.
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#### 7.
His mood is a constant variable in my life.
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Oxymoron: *Constant variable*
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Explanation: "Constant" means unchanging, while "variable" means changing. This oxymoron highlights the unpredictable nature of his mood, which remains a consistent source of change in the speaker's life.
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#### 8.
My father took a working holiday last week.
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Oxymoron: *Working holiday*
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Explanation: A "holiday" is typically associated with relaxation and leisure, while "working" implies effort and productivity. This oxymoron suggests that the holiday involved some form of work, creating a blend of rest and activity.
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Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
1. & \text{Painfully beautiful} \\
2. & \text{Small crowd} \\
3. & \text{Almost exactly} \\
4. & \text{Free trade} \\
5. & \text{Silent scream} \\
6. & \text{Pretty ugly} \\
7. & \text{Constant variable} \\
8. & \text{Working holiday} \\
\end{array}
}
\]
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of oxymoron worksheet.
