Metonymy in Literature Quiz

1. “Hollywood is obsessed with sequels.” “Hollywood” refers to:

A neighborhood in California

The film industry

Movie theaters only

Film schools

“Hollywood” is used as metonymy to represent the film industry as a whole, not the physical location.

Explanation

“Hollywood” is used as metonymy to represent the film industry as a whole, not the physical location.

2. “The pen brought peace where the sword had failed.” The contrast suggests:

Writing and ideas can succeed where violence cannot.

Pens are stronger than metal.

Swords are useless.

Peace is impossible.

“The pen” represents diplomacy or ideas, while “the sword” represents violence, showing that communication can achieve peace better than force.

Explanation

“The pen” represents diplomacy or ideas, while “the sword” represents violence, showing that communication can achieve peace better than force.

3. Metonymy is especially useful in literature because it:

Compresses complex ideas into a single symbol

Removes figurative language

Avoids emotional impact

Explains plot details step by step

Metonymy allows writers to represent large systems or abstract ideas with a single, familiar image.

Explanation

Metonymy allows writers to represent large systems or abstract ideas with a single, familiar image.

4. “The silver screen shaped my childhood.” “Silver screen” stands for:

A metallic screen

A theater curtain

Movies and cinema culture

A TV stand

“Silver screen” is a common metonymy for movies and the film industry, especially classic cinema.

Explanation

“Silver screen” is a common metonymy for movies and the film industry, especially classic cinema.

5. “Wall Street reacted badly to the announcement.” What is “Wall Street” here?

A literal street only

Banks and financial markets

The people who work in factories

The news reporters

“Wall Street” represents financial institutions and markets through association.

Explanation

“Wall Street” represents financial institutions and markets through association.

6. “The brush captured her sorrow on the canvas.” “Brush” is metonymy for:

The artist and her painting action

The tool itself

Paint supplies

Sad colors

The “brush” stands for the artist and the act of painting, not just the object.

Explanation

The “brush” stands for the artist and the act of painting, not just the object.

7. Match each metonym to its domain:

The stage

The press

The crown

Each word represents a broader field or institution associated with it.

Explanation

Each word represents a broader field or institution associated with it.

Submit

8. “The church spoke firmly on the issue.” This likely means:

Every church building spoke

Religious leaders stated a position

A choir sang loudly

A single priest wrote a novel

“The church” represents religious leadership or institutions, not the physical buildings.

Explanation

“The church” represents religious leadership or institutions, not the physical buildings.

9. “The desk called him back to work.” “Desk” is metonymy for:

His office duties or job

The wooden furniture

The school

A teacher

“Desk” symbolizes work responsibilities or professional obligations.

Explanation

“Desk” symbolizes work responsibilities or professional obligations.

10. “The kettle sings as the water boils.” This metonymy emphasizes:

The sound of steam as a “song”

The kettle’s color

The stove’s temperature

The cup’s shape

“Sings” refers to the whistling sound of steam, using figurative language to describe the noise.

Explanation

“Sings” refers to the whistling sound of steam, using figurative language to describe the noise.

11. Which phrase does NOT use metonymy?

The throne is in danger.

The streets are restless tonight.

The leaves turned red in autumn.

The pulpit condemned the injustice.

“The leaves turned red” is literal description, not figurative substitution.

Explanation

“The leaves turned red” is literal description, not figurative substitution.

12. Metonymy in poetry can make abstract ideas feel:

Concrete and immediate

Less important

Confusing on purpose

Completely literal

By using familiar symbols, metonymy helps readers visualize abstract concepts.

Explanation

By using familiar symbols, metonymy helps readers visualize abstract concepts.

13. “The ballot box changed the nation.” “Ballot box” stands for:

The wooden box only

The act of voting and elections

A single candidate

A political party

“Ballot box” represents the democratic process of voting, not the object itself.

Explanation

“Ballot box” represents the democratic process of voting, not the object itself.

14. “The table demanded order in the meeting.” What is “the table”?

The actual furniture

The group of leaders or delegates seated there

The paperwork

The schedule

“The table” stands for the people conducting the meeting, using location to represent authority.

Explanation

“The table” stands for the people conducting the meeting, using location to represent authority.

15. Metonymy often contributes to a text’s:

Tone, symbolism, and layers of meaning

Only its rhyme scheme

Only its setting description

Only its dialogue length

Metonymy deepens meaning by adding symbolism and emotional tone through recognizable associations.

Explanation

Metonymy deepens meaning by adding symbolism and emotional tone through recognizable associations.

Metonymy in Literature

1. “Hollywood is obsessed with sequels.” “Hollywood” refers to:

2.

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

2. “The pen brought peace where the sword had failed.” The contrast suggests:

3. Metonymy is especially useful in literature because it:

4. “The silver screen shaped my childhood.” “Silver screen” stands for:

5. “Wall Street reacted badly to the announcement.” What is “Wall Street” here?

6. “The brush captured her sorrow on the canvas.” “Brush” is metonymy for:

7. Match each metonym to its domain:

8. “The church spoke firmly on the issue.” This likely means:

9. “The desk called him back to work.” “Desk” is metonymy for:

10. “The kettle sings as the water boils.” This metonymy emphasizes:

11. Which phrase does NOT use metonymy?

12. Metonymy in poetry can make abstract ideas feel:

13. “The ballot box changed the nation.” “Ballot box” stands for:

14. “The table demanded order in the meeting.” What is “the table”?

15. Metonymy often contributes to a text’s: