Identifying Synecdoche Quiz

1. Which is a clear example of synecdoche?

“The strings played beautifully.”

“The music was loud.”

“The audience clapped.”

“The lights dimmed.”

“Strings” represents the string section of the orchestra, using a part to stand for a larger group.

Explanation

“Strings” represents the string section of the orchestra, using a part to stand for a larger group.

2. “The captain counted fifty sails on the horizon.” What does “sails” mean?

Ships

Flags

Clouds

People

“Sails” refers to entire ships, not just the sails themselves.

Explanation

“Sails” refers to entire ships, not just the sails themselves.

3. Synecdoche and metaphor are the same.

True

False

Synecdoche uses a part–whole relationship, while a metaphor compares two unlike things.

Explanation

Synecdoche uses a part–whole relationship, while a metaphor compares two unlike things.

4. “The crown passed a new law.” “Crown” represents:

The king or queen

Jewelry

Authority and monarchy

Gold

“The crown” stands for the ruling authority or monarchy, not the physical object.

Explanation

“The crown” stands for the ruling authority or monarchy, not the physical object.

5. When we say “the bench ruled,” “bench” refers to ________.

“The bench” represents the judges who sit there, using an object to stand for people.

Explanation

“The bench” represents the judges who sit there, using an object to stand for people.

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6. Which line contains synecdoche?

“She has a good eye for art.”

“The rain fell softly.”

“The wind howled.”

“The car sped past.”

“Eye” represents perception or artistic judgment, not just the physical eye.

Explanation

“Eye” represents perception or artistic judgment, not just the physical eye.

7. Match the phrase with its meaning:

“New faces joined the team.”

“The suits decided our future.”

“The boots marched forward.”

Each phrase uses a visible part (faces, suits, boots) to represent a group of people.

Explanation

Each phrase uses a visible part (faces, suits, boots) to represent a group of people.

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8. Synecdoche can be reversed (whole for part).

True

False

Sometimes the whole (like a country or institution) is used to represent individual members.

Explanation

Sometimes the whole (like a country or institution) is used to represent individual members.

9. “America won gold at the Olympics” shows synecdoche because:

The country name represents the athletes.

It’s a metaphor.

It’s exaggeration.

It’s literal.

“America” stands for the athletes who competed, not the entire nation.

Explanation

“America” stands for the athletes who competed, not the entire nation.

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11. Which phrase does NOT contain synecdoche?

“All hands were busy.”

“She counted every head.”

“The waves were tall.”

“The crown declared war.”

“The waves were tall” is literal and does not use a part or whole to represent something else.

Explanation

“The waves were tall” is literal and does not use a part or whole to represent something else.

12. Synecdoche and personification both describe human traits.

True

False

Personification gives human traits to nonhuman things, while synecdoche uses part–whole relationships.

Explanation

Personification gives human traits to nonhuman things, while synecdoche uses part–whole relationships.

13. “The pen was mightier than the sword” is NOT synecdoche because:

It’s metonymy, contrasting ideas of writing and violence.

It’s hyperbole.

It’s irony.

It’s literal.

“Pen” and “sword” represent ideas (writing and force), not parts of a whole.

Explanation

“Pen” and “sword” represent ideas (writing and force), not parts of a whole.

14. Which sentence shows whole-for-part synecdoche?

“The police are here.” (referring to officers)

“She has good hands.”

“All eyes turned toward him.”

“The sails were white.”

“The police” refers to individual officers, using the whole group name for its members.

Explanation

“The police” refers to individual officers, using the whole group name for its members.

15. Authors use synecdoche to:

Emphasize groups or relationships in few words

Confuse meanings

Over-explain ideas

Repeat sounds

Synecdoche allows writers to express complex ideas clearly and efficiently.

Explanation

Synecdoche allows writers to express complex ideas clearly and efficiently.

Identifying Synecdoche in Sentences

1. Which is a clear example of synecdoche?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. “The captain counted fifty sails on the horizon.” What does “sails” mean?

3. Synecdoche and metaphor are the same.

4. “The crown passed a new law.” “Crown” represents:

5. When we say “the bench ruled,” “bench” refers to ________.

6. Which line contains synecdoche?

7. Match the phrase with its meaning:

8. Synecdoche can be reversed (whole for part).

9. “America won gold at the Olympics” shows synecdoche because:

10. Using a nation’s name to stand for its citizens is called ________.

11. Which phrase does NOT contain synecdoche?

12. Synecdoche and personification both describe human traits.

13. “The pen was mightier than the sword” is NOT synecdoche because:

14. Which sentence shows whole-for-part synecdoche?

15. Authors use synecdoche to: