Literary Devices Quiz

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  • 1/10 Questions

    Which device exaggerates for effect: "I've told you a million times!"?

    • Irony
    • Oxymoron
    • Hyperbole
    • Metaphor
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About This Quiz

Ever noticed how certain phrases in a book make you think or feel more deeply? That's the power of literary devices at work. Our Literary Devices Quiz is designed to enhance your understanding of the techniques that writers use to enrich their narratives. This quiz will test your ability to identify and understand common literary devices such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and irony. Each question will challenge you to dissect passages and pinpoint the tools that make writing vivid and engaging.

Ideal for students looking to improve their literary analysis skills or anyone interested in the mechanics of writing, this quiz offers a straightforward yet thorough exploration of key literary concepts. Get ready to delve into the craft of literature with our Literary Devices Quiz. It’s an opportunity to see beyond the words and grasp the underlying elements that give them power.

Literary Devices Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    What literary device is used in "She is as brave as a lion"?

    • Metaphor

    • Simile

    • Personification

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Simile
    Explanation
    A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "as" or "like." In the example "She is as brave as a lion," the bravery of the person is compared to a lion, which is commonly associated with courage. Similes are used to make descriptions more vivid and relatable by linking the attributes of one object to another, thus enhancing the reader's understanding of the character's qualities through a familiar comparison.

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  • 3. 

    Identify the device in "The wind whispered through the trees."

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Hyperbole

    • Alliteration

    • Personification

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. The phrase "The wind whispered through the trees" gives the wind the human characteristic of whispering, which not only creates a visual picture but also adds a sense of quietness and secrecy, enhancing the mood and setting of the scene. This use of personification helps bring the natural world to life, making the environment more dynamic and emotionally resonant.

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  • 4. 

    What is the term for the repetition of initial consonant sounds?

    • Alliteration

    • Assonance

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Allegory

    Correct Answer
    A. Alliteration
    Explanation
    Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words. This device is often used to add a rhythmic quality, enhance mood, or emphasize particular words within a text. For instance, phrases like "wild and woolly" or "babbling brook" use alliteration to create a pleasing and memorable auditory effect, making the language more engaging.

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  • 5. 

    What device involves contradictory terms, as in "deafening silence"?

    • Irony

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    • Hyperbole

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxymoron
    Explanation
    An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect. In the term "deafening silence," silence, typically denoting the absence of sound, is described as being deafening, which implies a loud or overwhelming noise. This juxtaposition emphasizes the extreme nature of the silence, suggesting it is so profound that it feels loud or impactful, which can enhance the dramatic tension or underscore the unusual nature of the situation.

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  • 6. 

    "The pot called the kettle black" is an example of what?

    • Idiom

    • Metaphor

    • Simile

    • Irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Idiom
    Explanation
    An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning, understood based on common usage. "The pot called the kettle black" is an idiom implying hypocrisy, suggesting that one is criticizing another for a fault they themselves possess. This expression enriches the language by allowing the conveyance of complex ideas succinctly and vividly, reflecting cultural peculiarities and enhancing expressive speech.

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  • 7. 

    In "The fog comes on little cat feet," what device is used?

    • Metaphor

    • Simile

    • Personification

    • Synecdoche

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    Personification is used in "The fog comes on little cat feet" to describe the fog behaving like a cat, suggesting it is moving quietly and smoothly, just as a cat would stalk silently. This not only helps the reader visualize the scene more vividly but also adds an element of grace and stealth to the fog's movement, enhancing the overall imagery and mood of the description.

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  • 8. 

    "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player" uses what device?

    • Metaphor

    • Simile

    • Personification

    • Oxymoron

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    Personification is used in "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player" to give life and agency to abstract concepts or inanimate objects. In this line from Shakespeare, life is depicted as an actor playing a brief role on stage, suggesting the transient, insubstantial nature of existence. This metaphorical use of personification helps deepen the philosophical themes of the text, making the abstract notion of life more tangible and poignant for the audience.

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  • 9. 

    Which device directly addresses an absent or imaginary person?

    • Apostrophe

    • Euphemism

    • Ellipsis

    • Anecdote

    Correct Answer
    A. Apostrophe
    Explanation
    Apostrophe is a rhetorical device where the speaker addresses a third party or a person that is not present or is deceased, as if they could respond. It is used to convey emotional intensity or to direct the audience's attention to the addressed entity or idea. This device can also provide a way for the author to express thoughts or feelings aloud in a dramatic fashion, which can deepen the emotional connection to the narrative or theme.

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  • 10. 

    Which device is used in "O, listen to the sounding sea"?

    • Alliteration

    • Assonance

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Metonymy

    Correct Answer
    A. Alliteration
    Explanation
    Alliteration in "O, listen to the sounding sea" uses the repetition of the 's' sound to create a soft, soothing auditory effect, mimicking the sound of the sea itself. This poetic technique draws the reader’s attention to the text and can make the phrasing more memorable, lyrical, and effective in conveying the rhythmic qualities of the sea’s movement.

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  • Current Version
  • Jan 15, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 28, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Djbrooks
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