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Difficulty: Very hardFigurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

Read the excerpt below and complete the statement by filling in the correct figure of speech.

Answer:Excerpt:
"When the minister finally addressed the starving populace, he spoke eloquently of their 'temporary economic recalibration,' conveniently ignoring the skeletal figures collapsed along the courtyard perimeter."

In the excerpt above, the minister's use of the expression 'temporary economic recalibration' to disguise the brutal reality of famine and poverty is an example of a(n) 【euphemism】.

Answer

euphemism
The correct response is euphemism because the speaker replaces a grim, distressing reality (famine and starvation) with mild, sanitized, and indirect phrasing ('temporary economic recalibration') to make the situation sound less severe.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the speaker's statement relative to the surrounding scenario.
The speaker uses sanitized, bureaucratic language ('temporary economic recalibration') to describe extreme hardship (starvation and collapse).
Understanding the contrast between the harsh reality and the chosen wording reveals the speaker's intent.
2
Identify the literary device defined by substituting mild, indirect, or vague expressions for offensive or harsh truths.
The substitution of a mild technical phrase for starvation is a euphemism.
Euphemisms are intentionally used in public address to soften unpleasant realities.

Key Concept

Euphemism in Context
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Figurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

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