What Is Synecdoche?

  • 9th Grade,
  • 10th Grade
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Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,566,648
| Questions: 15 | Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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1. What is synecdoche?

Explanation

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

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About This Quiz
What Is Synecdoche? - Quiz

Figurative language often condenses big ideas into small details. In this synecdoche quiz, you’ll explore how a part can represent a whole or how a whole can stand in for a part. You’ll practice recognizing common synecdoche patterns, analyze how meaning shifts through substitution, and understand why writers rely on... see morethis technique for clarity and emphasis. Each question helps you build a strong foundation for identifying synecdoche accurately in both everyday language and literature.
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2. Which sentence contains synecdoche?

Explanation

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

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3. Synecdoche uses exaggeration for effect.

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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6. Which line best shows synecdoche?

Explanation

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

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7. Match the phrase to what it represents:

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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11. Which sentence is NOT synecdoche?

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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

Explanation

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

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15. Why do authors use synecdoche?

Explanation

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

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What is synecdoche?
Which sentence contains synecdoche?
Synecdoche uses exaggeration for effect.
In “She has many mouths to feed,” what does “mouths”...
Synecdoche uses a ________ of something to stand for the whole.
Which line best shows synecdoche?
Match the phrase to what it represents:
Synecdoche can also use a whole to represent a part.
“The orchestra is tuning up their strings.” Here, “strings”...
When we use “the law” to mean police officers, it is an example of...
Which sentence is NOT synecdoche?
“Ears” in “Lend me your ears” represents “attention.”
“The farmer owned a hundred head of cattle.” What does “head”...
“He bought a new set of wheels” is an example of:
Why do authors use synecdoche?
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