Anaphora In Short Prose & Its Effect

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1. Which phrase in the passage is an example of anaphora?

This town

I see

The old man

Every spring

“I see” repeats at the beginning of several clauses.

Explanation

“I see” repeats at the beginning of several clauses.

About This Quiz

Anaphora In Short Prose & Its Effect - Quiz

Are you ready to explore how repetition shapes meaning in writing? In this quiz, you’ll read a short prose passage and examine how anaphora is used to build voice, rhythm, and emotional impact. You’ll identify repeated phrases, analyze how they influence mood and perspective, and explain why a writer might... see morechoose anaphora instead of simple listing. Through close reading and thoughtful questions, you’ll deepen your understanding of how repetition can unify ideas and make descriptive writing more powerful and memorable.
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2. What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. The repeated phrase helps create a strong, unified picture of the town.

True

False

Repeating “I see” links all the details into one focused perspective.

Explanation

Repeating “I see” links all the details into one focused perspective.

3. What is one effect of using anaphora in this passage?

It makes the town feel boring and repetitive.

It emphasizes the speaker’s personal point of view and emotional connection to the town.

It hides the speaker’s feelings.

It focuses only on negative details.

The repetition of “I see” highlights the speaker’s lens and affection.

Explanation

The repetition of “I see” highlights the speaker’s lens and affection.

4. Which sentence from the passage most clearly uses anaphora?

I want you to see what I see when I look at this town.

I see what this town has been, and I see what this town could still become.

“I see” begins two back-to-back sentences, clearly showing anaphora.

Explanation

“I see” begins two back-to-back sentences, clearly showing anaphora.

5. The anaphora in the passage only draws attention to negative images of the town.

True

False

The repeated “I see” includes both problems and positive, hopeful details.

Explanation

The repeated “I see” includes both problems and positive, hopeful details.

6. Why might the writer repeat “I see” instead of listing the details without repetition?

To make the passage longer

To create a steady rhythm and to stress that these are all things the speaker personally notices

To confuse the reader

To avoid using any other verbs

The repeated phrase ties all observations to the speaker’s viewpoint.

Explanation

The repeated phrase ties all observations to the speaker’s viewpoint.

7. Which revision keeps the anaphora while adding one more detail? “I see the cracked sidewalks. I see the kids racing their bikes. I see the woman at the corner store.”

I see the cracked sidewalks. The kids race their bikes. The woman smiles.

The cracked sidewalks are old. I see the kids racing their bikes. The woman is kind.

I saw the cracked sidewalks. I see the kids racing their bikes. I will see the woman.

“I see” is repeated at the start of each clause, including the new detail.

Explanation

“I see” is repeated at the start of each clause, including the new detail.

8. In the last line, how does repeating “I see” contribute to meaning? “I see what this town has been, and I see what this town could still become.”

It shows the speaker is bored.

It shows the speaker is forgetting the past.

It emphasizes the connection between the town’s history and its future in the speaker’s mind.

It makes the sentence less clear.

The repetition links past and future as part of one vision.

Explanation

The repetition links past and future as part of one vision.

9. Anaphora can help build a persuasive tone by repeating ideas the writer wants the reader to remember.

True

False

Repetition at the start of clauses makes key phrases stick.

Explanation

Repetition at the start of clauses makes key phrases stick.

10. Which of the following lines, if added, would fit the pattern of anaphora used in the passage?

People pass each other every day.

I think about leaving sometimes.

I see the students who stay late at the library, working toward something better.

This town is my home.

It starts with “I see,” matching the anaphora pattern.

Explanation

It starts with “I see,” matching the anaphora pattern.

11. Which statement BEST explains the mood created by the anaphora in this passage?

Bitter and mocking

Detached and emotionless

Gentle but hopeful

Fearful and panicked

The repeated “I see” points out flaws but also affection, hope, and care.

Explanation

The repeated “I see” points out flaws but also affection, hope, and care.

12. Without the repeated "I see," the passage would lose some of its rhythm and voice.

True

False

Anaphora contributes to the sound and personality of the speaker’s voice.

Explanation

Anaphora contributes to the sound and personality of the speaker’s voice.

13. Which of these would turn this into an example of poor anaphora use?

Keeping “I see” and adding meaningful details

Repeating “I see” but listing random, unrelated things

Removing all repetition

Ending the passage with “I see.”

Repetition works best when the details support a clear idea, not randomness.

Explanation

Repetition works best when the details support a clear idea, not randomness.

14. The anaphora in the passage mostly helps the reader—

Focus on the town’s population statistics

Hear the speaker’s voice and feel the emotional connection to each detail

Memorize the store’s address

Ignore the positive details

Repeating “I see” keeps the voice and feeling front and center.

Explanation

Repeating “I see” keeps the voice and feeling front and center.

15. Which option would be the BEST explanation to give students for why a writer uses anaphora in descriptive prose?

To avoid thinking of new words

To make grammar simpler

To create emphasis and rhythm, and to unite several images under one main idea

To hide the meaning of the passage

It ties together multiple images around one repeated phrase.

Explanation

It ties together multiple images around one repeated phrase.

Thank you for your feedback!

Anneda Nettleton |Bachelor’s in Middle Grade Education |

K–12 Expert

Anneda N. is an experienced instructional designer and educator with over 22 years in K–12 education. She specializes in standards-aligned quizzes, curriculum development, literacy programs, and academic writing. Holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education and a Rank 1 Reading & Writing Specialist credential.

Anaphora in Short Prose & Its Effect

1. Which phrase in the passage is an example of anaphora?

2.

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

2. The repeated phrase helps create a strong, unified picture of the town.

3. What is one effect of using anaphora in this passage?

4. Which sentence from the passage most clearly uses anaphora?

5. The anaphora in the passage only draws attention to negative images of the town.

6. Why might the writer repeat “I see” instead of listing the details without repetition?

7. Which revision keeps the anaphora while adding one more detail? “I see the cracked sidewalks. I see the kids racing their bikes. I see the woman at the corner store.”

8. In the last line, how does repeating “I see” contribute to meaning? “I see what this town has been, and I see what this town could still become.”

9. Anaphora can help build a persuasive tone by repeating ideas the writer wants the reader to remember.

10. Which of the following lines, if added, would fit the pattern of anaphora used in the passage?

11. Which statement BEST explains the mood created by the anaphora in this passage?

12. Without the repeated "I see," the passage would lose some of its rhythm and voice.

13. Which of these would turn this into an example of poor anaphora use?

14. The anaphora in the passage mostly helps the reader—

15. Which option would be the BEST explanation to give students for why a writer uses anaphora in descriptive prose?