Which statement best describes satire?

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Satire uses humor to critique society or human folly, often blending irony, exaggeration, and parody to reveal flaws and prompt thought. This combination—humor tied to a critical aim toward real-world behavior or beliefs—best captures what satire is and what it seeks to do: make readers laugh while also considering how people, systems, or norms could improve. The other statements describe techniques or effects that satire may use or evoke, but they don’t articulate the overriding purpose as clearly. Imitation for humor points to parody, which imitates style for fun but isn’t the full aim of satire. Exaggeration to expose issues describes a common device but misses the deliberate social critique backed by humor. Using direct instruction to persuade is more about propaganda or didactic tone, not the satirical aim of critiquing society through wit.