Which phrase defines “irony” best?

the funny commentary on people and society
the creation of a confusing tone for the reader
the use of description in a literary work to emphasize a point
the mismatch between appearance and reality

Read the excerpt. by my junior year i lived on campus all year round. between sorority life, political activism, boyfriends, and modern dance i couldn't stop moving. i came home for brief visits, but these visits were too awkward without rosalind. the house was profoundly still. mommy stayed in her room. russell didn't talk, let alone look at me. the chess set was still standing there, pieces and all! how does the author's word choice create an ominous tone in this excerpt?