Think You Know Lit Lingo? Take This Literary Devices Quiz!

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Which literary device gives human qualities to non-human things?

    • Alliteration
    • Personification
    • Simile
    • Onomatopoeia
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About This Quiz

Ready to step into the wonderful world of storytelling? This fun literary devices quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the tools that authors use to bring their words to life. From metaphors to hyperboles, these devices add depth and beauty to writing, helping readers connect with the story on a deeper level.

No matter if your child is preparing for a school test or you are a teacher who wants to inculcate some learning, this quiz is ideal. Each question will challenge the understanding of commonly used devices, helping recognize them in texts and use them in your writing. You will be confident enough to ace any literary devices test by the end.

Think You Know Lit Lingo? Take This Literary Devices Quiz! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What literary device compares two things using “like” or “as”?

    • Simile

    • Metaphor

    • Personification

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Simile
    Explanation
    A simile is a literary device that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” For example, “Her smile was as bright as the sun” illustrates a simile by comparing a smile to sunlight, showing its brightness. This device helps create vivid imagery, making descriptions relatable and memorable for readers. Similes are often used in poetry and prose to enhance the writing and evoke strong emotions or visuals. By comparing one thing to another, similes can also help readers better understand complex ideas or feelings. 

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  • 3. 

    Which device gives human qualities to inanimate objects or animals?

    • Alliteration

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Personification

    • Oxymoron

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    Personification is a literary device that attributes human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas. This technique adds depth and interest to writing by creating a sense of life and personality in non-human entities. For example, "The wind whispered through the trees" gives the wind a human action. This can evoke emotions and create a more vivid image in the reader's mind, making the writing more engaging and memorable. Personification is commonly used in poetry, prose, and storytelling to bring scenes to life and connect with the audience on a deeper level. 

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  • 4. 

    What is the term for a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"?

    • Metaphor

    • Simile

    • Personification

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Simile
    Explanation
    A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two distinct things using "like" or "as" to create a vivid image or enhance understanding. For example, "He's as strong as an ox" compares a person's strength to that of an ox. Similes are commonly used to make writing more descriptive and engaging. They can also help readers make connections between unfamiliar concepts by relating them to something more familiar. Similes are a powerful tool in the writer's arsenal for adding depth and color to their work.

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  • 5. 

    Which device is an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect?

    • Metaphor

    • Hyperbole

    • Simile

    • Paradox

    Correct Answer
    A. Hyperbole
    Explanation
    Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. It's not meant to be taken literally but serves to create a strong impression or evoke a particular emotion. For instance, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" is a hyperbolic expression of hunger. Hyperbole is commonly used in literature, poetry, and everyday language to add humor or emphasis to a statement. It can also be a useful tool for writers looking to make their writing more engaging and memorable. 

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  • 6. 

    "The moon smiled down at the lovers." What literary device is demonstrated here?

    • Allusion

    • Personification

    • Hyperbole

    • Symbolism

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    In this sentence, the moon is described as having human qualities—smiling. Personification adds life and emotion to non-human elements, creating an imaginative and poetic atmosphere. It helps readers visualize and connect with the setting on a deeper emotional level. This literary device can also be used to convey deeper meanings or themes within a text, such as the idea of nature being alive and responsive. By personifying the moon in this way, the author is able to evoke a sense of wonder and magic in the reader's mind. 

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  • 7. 

    What is a word that imitates the sound it represents?

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Alliteration

    • Assonance

    • Oxymoron

    Correct Answer
    A. Onomatopoeia
    Explanation
    Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds they represent. This device creates a more immersive and sensory experience for the reader by bringing sounds to life within the text. Examples include words like "buzz," "hiss," "crackle," and "boom." Onomatopoeia is commonly used in poetry, comics, and children's literature to engage the reader's auditory senses. By incorporating these words, writers can evoke specific emotions and enhance the overall tone of their writing. 

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  • 8. 

    What is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words?

    • Assonance

    • Alliteration

    • Hyperbole

    • Irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Alliteration
    Explanation
    Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables in close proximity. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in language, making phrases more memorable and emphasizing certain words or ideas. Tongue twisters often utilize alliteration. For example, "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" is a popular tongue twister that showcases alliteration. Additionally, alliteration can be found in poetry, advertising slogans, and even in everyday speech to add emphasis or create a playful tone. 

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  • 9. 

    In a mystery novel, a dark forest symbolizes danger and fear. Which literary device is at play?

    • Foreshadowing

    • Symbolism

    • Irony

    • Allegory

    Correct Answer
    A. Symbolism
    Explanation
    Symbolism uses objects, settings, or actions to represent deeper meanings. Here, the dark forest symbolizes danger and fear, creating a sense of unease. Symbolism enriches storytelling by adding layers of meaning and emotional resonance to the narrative. For example, the use of a rose to symbolize love or a storm to symbolize chaos can evoke powerful emotions in readers. By incorporating symbolism, authors can convey complex themes and ideas in a more subtle and impactful way. 

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  • 10. 

    What is the term for a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as"?

    • Simile

    • Metaphor

    • Personification

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Metaphor
    Explanation
    A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as." It creates a strong connection between the two things being compared, suggesting that one is the other or has the qualities of the other. Metaphors are powerful tools for creating imagery and conveying meaning. They can evoke emotions, simplify complex ideas, and make language more engaging for the reader. Metaphors can also add depth and layers of meaning to writing, allowing for a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

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  • 11. 

    What is the term for a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected?

    • Oxymoron

    • Irony

    • Paradox

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Irony
    Explanation
    Irony is a literary device in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. This can manifest in several forms, such as situational irony (when the opposite of what is expected happens), verbal irony (when someone says the opposite of what they mean), and dramatic irony (when the audience knows something the characters do not). Irony is often used to create humor, add depth to characters, or highlight themes in a story. It can also serve as a tool for social commentary or to challenge the audience's assumptions.

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  • 12. 

    Which device combines two contradictory terms?

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    • Antithesis

    • Irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxymoron
    Explanation
    An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms in a compressed paradox. This creates a surprising and thought-provoking effect, highlighting the complexity or inconsistency of the situation or idea being described. Oxymorons are often used to create a sense of irony or wit. They are commonly found in literature, poetry, and everyday language, adding depth and layers of meaning to the text. When used effectively, oxymorons can evoke strong emotions and challenge the reader's perception of reality.

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  • 13. 

    "I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!" This is an example of:

    • Hyperbole

    • Metaphor

    • Simile 

    • Personification

    Correct Answer
    A. Hyperbole
    Explanation
    This exaggerated statement emphasizes frustration or urgency. Hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally but rather to stress a point dramatically. It adds humor or intensity to a narrative, helping to convey strong emotions effectively. For example, saying "I've told you a million times to clean your room!" is a hyperbolic way of expressing annoyance at someone's repeated failure to follow instructions. Hyperbole can also be used in storytelling to create vivid imagery or heighten suspense. 

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  • 14. 

    Which device is a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a hidden truth?

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    • Irony

    • Antithesis

    Correct Answer
    A. Paradox
    Explanation
    A paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but expresses a possible truth. It challenges the reader to think critically and consider deeper meanings beyond the surface level. Paradoxes often highlight the complexities or contradictions inherent in life or ideas. They can be used to provoke thought, spark creativity, or reveal hidden truths that may not be immediately apparent. By embracing paradoxes, individuals can expand their perspectives and engage in more nuanced discussions about complex topics. 

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  • 15. 

    Which device uses contrasting ideas in parallel structure?

    • Irony

    • Antithesis

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    Correct Answer
    A. Antithesis
    Explanation
    Antithesis is a rhetorical device that uses contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses. This creates a parallel structure that highlights the opposition between the ideas, making the writing more impactful and memorable. Antithesis often creates a sense of tension or conflict. It can also be used to emphasize the importance of a particular idea by juxtaposing it with its opposite. Overall, antithesis adds depth and complexity to writing by challenging the reader to consider different perspectives simultaneously.

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  • Current Version
  • May 12, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 04, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Mrs. Kuzminski
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