Rhetorical Appeals

Multiple Choice

 

Which of these is alliteration?

• The elephants trumpeted to warn the others.

• The blue jays flew high up in the sky.

• The bunnies ran away as fast as they could

• The big bad bear barked at all the little bunnies in the forest.

Multiple Choice

Robert Louis Stevenson's popular Victorian novella Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells the story of a man with two distinct personalities. Known to the world as a kind and highly respected doctor, at night he transforms into a monstrous person.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

"Edmond's personality is very Jekyll and Hyde," Alexandra told her brother.

• reserved but cold

• kind then cruel

Multiple Choice

In a well-known folktale, Chicken Little is accidentally hit by something and jumps to the conclusion that the sky is falling and that she must spread the news of imminent disaster.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

The weather forecast called for clear skies, making my grandfather look like Chicken Little.

• a person who greets trouble with a cheery disposition

• a person who spreads news of iminent danger

Multiple Choice

Kryptonite, matter from Superman's home planet, is the only thing that can reduce the superhero's strength.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Sappy love songs are Kryptonite to my otherwise stoic father.

• a source of weakness

• a source of strength

Multiple Choice

In a Biblical parable, the prodigal son irresponsibly spends the inheritance given to him by his father. When he returns home, he expects to be shamed, but his father forgives him.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

David dropped out of college to travel the world, but a year later, the prodigal son returned home and re-enrolled.

• a person who behaves recklessly but later makes a repentant return

• a person who dedicates him- or herself to academics

Multiple Choice

Review the passage. The simile is underlined.

The desire to express myself grew. The few signs I used became less and less adequate, and my failures to make myself understood were always followed by outbursts of passion. I felt as if invisible hands were holding me, and I made frantic efforts to free myself. I struggled—not that struggling helped matters, but the feeling of resistance was strong within me. I generally broke down in tears and physical exhaustion.

What is the effect of the simile on the passage's meaning or tone?

• It creates the feeling of being trapped.

• It creates the feeling of being comforted.

Multiple Choice

Complete the sentence to demonstrate parallel structure.

In 1804, William Clark, who was an outdoorsman and ____________, joined his friend Meriwether Lewis on an expedition from St. Louis to the coast of Oregon.

• skilled at mapmaking

• a skilled mapmaker

Multiple Choice

Complete the sentence to demonstrate parallel structure.

After making a touchdown in football, a team can score again either by kicking the ball through the goal posts or _______________.

• running the ball into the end zone.

• by running the ball into the end zone.