What is a play on words that is often humorous but can have a serious purpose?

the correct answers are:

c. “never in the history of his people had a man married a woman who spoke a different tongue.”

d. “‘it has never been heard,’ was the verdict of an old man speaking a few weeks later.”

e. “this man had come with others to commiserate with okeke.”

he describes the bird as "stately."

i hope this

~ash belle