Answer:
The two responses that most effectively describe irony are:
A. a situation in which the audience or reader knows something that the characters in a performance, text, or real-life situation do not know.
C. a situation in which something that is intended or expected to happen does not happen, or when the outcome is the opposite of what is expected.
Step-by-step explanation:
Irony often involves a contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs. Response A highlights dramatic irony, where the audience or reader possesses knowledge that the characters lack, leading to a sense of tension or humor. Response C captures situational irony, where the outcome is contrary to expectations, creating a sense of surprise or incongruity.