Synecdoche Quiz: Define the Device

1. What is synecdoche?

Comparing two things using “like” or “as”

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things

Using a part to represent a whole or the whole to represent a part

Repeating consonant sounds

Synecdoche is a figure of speech where a part of something stands for the whole, or the whole stands for a part.

Explanation

Synecdoche is a figure of speech where a part of something stands for the whole, or the whole stands for a part.

2. Which sentence contains synecdoche?

“All hands on deck!”

“The sun smiled down on us.”

“Life is like a journey.”

“The wind whispered.”

“Hands” represents sailors or workers as a whole, not just their hands.

Explanation

“Hands” represents sailors or workers as a whole, not just their hands.

3. Synecdoche uses exaggeration for effect.

True

False

Exaggeration is called hyperbole. Synecdoche replaces something with a related part or whole, not an exaggeration.

Explanation

Exaggeration is called hyperbole. Synecdoche replaces something with a related part or whole, not an exaggeration.

4. In “She has many mouths to feed,” what does “mouths” represent?

People or children

Animals

Plants

Dishes

“Mouths” stands for people who need food, not just literal mouths.

Explanation

“Mouths” stands for people who need food, not just literal mouths.

5. Which line best shows synecdoche?

“The White House announced a new policy.”

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

“We need more wheels in the parking lot.”

“The classroom was cold.”

“Wheels” represents cars, using a part of the object to represent the whole.

Explanation

“Wheels” represents cars, using a part of the object to represent the whole.

6. Match the phrase to what it represents:

“Nice threads!”

“He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

“The crown rules the kingdom.”

Each phrase uses one part or symbol (threads, head, crown) to represent a larger idea or group.

Explanation

Each phrase uses one part or symbol (threads, head, crown) to represent a larger idea or group.

Submit

7. Synecdoche can also use a whole to represent a part.

True

False

Sometimes the whole object or group is used to represent just one part of it.

Explanation

Sometimes the whole object or group is used to represent just one part of it.

8. “The orchestra is tuning up their strings.” Here, “strings” means:

String instruments like violins and cellos

Only guitars

All musical instruments

Musicians’ uniforms

“Strings” refers only to the string section of the orchestra, not the entire group.

Explanation

“Strings” refers only to the string section of the orchestra, not the entire group.

9. “Ears” in “Lend me your ears” represents “attention.”

True

False

“Ears” stands for listening and attention, not just the physical body part.

Explanation

“Ears” stands for listening and attention, not just the physical body part.

10. “The farmer owned a hundred head of cattle.” What does “head” represent?

Whole animals

Skulls

Farmers

Crops

“Head” is used to count entire animals, not just their heads.

Explanation

“Head” is used to count entire animals, not just their heads.

11. “He bought a new set of wheels” is an example of:

Synecdoche

Personification

Hyperbole

Metaphor

“Wheels” represents a car, using a part to stand for the whole.

Explanation

“Wheels” represents a car, using a part to stand for the whole.

12. Why do authors use synecdoche?

To make language more vivid and concise

To confuse the reader

To exaggerate ideas

To rhyme

Synecdoche helps writers express ideas clearly and creatively using fewer words.

Explanation

Synecdoche helps writers express ideas clearly and creatively using fewer words.

13. When we use “the law” to mean police officers, it is an example of ________.

“The law” represents the people who enforce it, using the whole idea to stand for a part.

Explanation

“The law” represents the people who enforce it, using the whole idea to stand for a part.

Submit

14. Which sentence is NOT synecdoche?

“The sails crossed the ocean.”

“The school won the championship.”

“The chef cooked dinner.”

“Lend me your ears.”

“The chef cooked dinner” is literal and does not use a part or whole to represent something else.

Explanation

“The chef cooked dinner” is literal and does not use a part or whole to represent something else.

15. Synecdoche uses a ________ of something to stand for the whole.

In synecdoche, a part (like “hands” or “wheels”) represents the entire thing.

Explanation

In synecdoche, a part (like “hands” or “wheels”) represents the entire thing.

Submit

What Is Synecdoche?

1. What is synecdoche?

2.

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

2. Which sentence contains synecdoche?

3. Synecdoche uses exaggeration for effect.

4. In “She has many mouths to feed,” what does “mouths” represent?

5. Which line best shows synecdoche?

6. Match the phrase to what it represents:

7. Synecdoche can also use a whole to represent a part.

8. “The orchestra is tuning up their strings.” Here, “strings” means:

9. “Ears” in “Lend me your ears” represents “attention.”

10. “The farmer owned a hundred head of cattle.” What does “head” represent?

11. “He bought a new set of wheels” is an example of:

12. Why do authors use synecdoche?

13. When we use “the law” to mean police officers, it is an example of ________.

14. Which sentence is NOT synecdoche?

15. Synecdoche uses a ________ of something to stand for the whole.