Read the following selection. Select all examples of irony which the speaker uses. What is the effect of this literary device in the selection? Some of the most outstanding economists agree that a viable agricultural sector is a key to economic growth. The leaders of Meganomia fully support this view by withholding subsidies now due to farmers. To the problem of droughts, floods, diseases, and theft which frustrate the farmers' efforts from time to time, these leaders continue to lend the deaf ear.

How can we expect them to assist farmers when their priority is to subsidize the importation of food? Isn’t it more economical to import food than to grow your food? Cheap subsidized food is much better than locally produced food. How will our taste for foreign food be satisfied if they do not import food? A can of pineapple chunks is far more delicious than a freshly picked pineapple. Canned vegetables are more nutritious than fresh ones. We must compliment the leaders of Meganomial for their wisdom in this direction. There is much talk among our economists. Why should we strive for self-sufficiency when there are foreign markets to depend on? All the unnecessary hardship and frustration which farmers face in growing their own food are avoided when we import food.

Should we impose more burdens upon the leaders of Meganomia by advocating support for farmers? After all, they have to spend money on more important things such as hosting foreign visitors, paying consultants, traveling abroad to seminars, and other so-called business trips which accomplish everything else but their main objectives.

May I ask why should Farmers be given incentives to grow more food when the Tourist Industry is booming now more than ever?

Isn't it better to put all your eggs in one basket? Isn't it better to leave large tracts of land undeveloped while poverty and hunger stalk the land?

Hats off to the leaders of Meganomia for their positive attitude to agriculture and for allowing farmers to enjoy the lowest status in society.