How many vowel sounds can there be in one syllable

Which best expresses the irony present in this passage?

Which pair of words has similar denotation but different connotations?

Realism was a fairly influential and widespread literary movement in the united states in the latter half of the nineteenth century. which american writer is among the pioneers of american realism? a. ernest hemingway b. f. scott fitzgerald c. j. d. salinger d. mark twain