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Difficulty: MediumFigurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

Read the passage excerpt below:

"During the official investigation into the collapsed high-rise building, the lead contractor insisted that the structural defects were merely 'cosmetic blemishes' that had been blown out of proportion by the press."

In the excerpt above, what figure of speech is used in the phrase 'cosmetic blemishes' and what does it reveal about the contractor's attitude?

  1. Understatement, indicating his attempt to downplay the severity of the structural failure.Answer
  2. B
    Metaphor, showing his genuine belief that the building's problems were simple to repair.
  3. C
    Hyperbole, highlighting his extreme frustration with the media's excessive coverage.
  4. D
    Irony, expressing his sarcastic contempt toward the investigative committee.

Answer

Understatement, indicating his attempt to downplay the severity of the structural failure.
The phrase 'cosmetic blemishes' minimizes the catastrophic collapse of a high-rise building to a minor surface imperfection. Representing a major structural disaster as trivial constitutes an understatement (meiosis), which the contractor employs to minimize the severity of the situation and evade blame.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the literal context of the excerpt
The scenario concerns a severe situation involving a collapsed high-rise building under official investigation.
Context dictates whether an expression minimizes or exaggerates reality.
2
Evaluate the phrase 'cosmetic blemishes' against the reality of the situation
Describing life-threatening structural failure in a collapsed building as 'cosmetic' (surface-level) represents deliberate minimization.
Representing a major catastrophe as a trivial flaw defines understatement (meiosis).
3
Determine the contextual effect and writer/speaker attitude
The contractor uses this figure of speech to evade accountability and downplay the crisis.
Understatement in high-stakes disputes often serves to soften blame and diminish perceived risk.

Key Concept

Understatement (Meiosis) in Context
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Topics

Figurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

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