Synecdoche in Literature Quiz

1. “The Western wave was all aflame.” : Byron, The Destruction of Sennacherib. What does “wave” represent?

The sea as a whole

A single ripple

The sky

A gesture

“Wave” stands for the entire sea, using a part to represent the whole.

Explanation

“Wave” stands for the entire sea, using a part to represent the whole.

2. Synecdoche can appear in both poetry and prose.

True

False

Synecdoche is used in many forms of writing, including poems, plays, speeches, and stories.

Explanation

Synecdoche is used in many forms of writing, including poems, plays, speeches, and stories.

3. “O no! it is an ever-fixed mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken.” : Shakespeare, Sonnet 116. Here, “mark” refers to:

A guiding light or symbol of constancy (the whole concept of love)

A literal sign

A scar

A name

“Mark” represents the steadfast nature of true love, using a single image to stand for a larger idea.

Explanation

“Mark” represents the steadfast nature of true love, using a single image to stand for a larger idea.

4. Match the line to its meaning

“All hands on deck!”

“The White House announced plans.”

“Lend me your ears.”

“All hands” and “ears” are synecdoche because they use body parts to represent people or attention, while “White House” is metonymy because it represents government by association.

Explanation

“All hands” and “ears” are synecdoche because they use body parts to represent people or attention, while “White House” is metonymy because it represents government by association.

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5. Using a nation’s name for its athletes is synecdoche.

True

False

The country name represents specific people (athletes), making it whole-for-part synecdoche.

Explanation

The country name represents specific people (athletes), making it whole-for-part synecdoche.

6. “The checkered flag waved.” What does it represent?

The end of a race

A piece of cloth

The fans

Speed itself

The checkered flag is a particular object that represents the end of a race.

Explanation

The checkered flag is a particular object that represents the end of a race.

7. Synecdoche can express emotion through imagery.

True

False

By focusing on a meaningful part, synecdoche can make emotions feel more concrete and vivid.

Explanation

By focusing on a meaningful part, synecdoche can make emotions feel more concrete and vivid.

8. “The heart of the city was alive with sound.” What does “heart” symbolize?

The central area

A person’s heart

A neighborhood

Love

“Heart” represents the central or most important part of the city.

Explanation

“Heart” represents the central or most important part of the city.

9. “The sails glided across the sea.” “Sails” refers to:

Ships

Fabric

Wind

Sailors

“Sails” stands for entire ships, using a visible part to represent the whole.

Explanation

“Sails” stands for entire ships, using a visible part to represent the whole.

10. Synecdoche helps readers:

Visualize ideas through specific images

Memorize facts

Read faster

Avoid figurative meaning

By using concrete parts to represent larger ideas, synecdoche helps readers picture concepts more clearly.

Explanation

By using concrete parts to represent larger ideas, synecdoche helps readers picture concepts more clearly.

11. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." : Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. What does "ears" represent?

Attention

Hearing ability

Friendship

Listening devices

“Ears” is a part of the body used to represent attention and listening, not literal ears, making it synecdoche.

Explanation

“Ears” is a part of the body used to represent attention and listening, not literal ears, making it synecdoche.

12. “The gray beard approached the door.” What does “gray beard” stand for?

An old man

A beard itself

A group of people

A traveler

“Gray beard” refers to an older man, using a physical feature to represent the whole person.

Explanation

“Gray beard” refers to an older man, using a physical feature to represent the whole person.

13. Using “suits” to mean “businesspeople” is an example of ________.

“Suits” refers to people who wear them, using a part or visible feature to represent a group.

Explanation

“Suits” refers to people who wear them, using a part or visible feature to represent a group.

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14. Which phrase does NOT include synecdoche?

“The throne has spoken.”

“The classroom erupted in applause.”

“The books are calling my name.”

“He asked for her hand in marriage.”

“The books are calling my name” uses personification, not synecdoche.

Explanation

“The books are calling my name” uses personification, not synecdoche.

15. Authors use synecdoche to give writing ________ and economy.

Authors use synecdoche to give writing vividness and economy. Explanation: Synecdoche makes writing more vivid and expressive while using fewer words.

Explanation

Authors use synecdoche to give writing vividness and economy. Explanation: Synecdoche makes writing more vivid and expressive while using fewer words.

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