Exploring Literary Devices Quiz

Which of the following is the best definition of "oxymoron"?

• A figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-human things

• A combination of contradictory or incongruous words

• A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer

• The repetition of similar grammatical structures

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

What is "parallelism" in literature?

• The use of exaggeration for emphasis

• The repetition of similar grammatical structures in a sentence or series of sentences

• The use of words that imitate sounds

• The attribution of human characteristics to animals

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which literary device is used when an author asks a question without expecting an answer?

• Rhetorical question

• Paradox

• Understatement

• Pun

Which of the following is an example of personification?

• The wind whispered through the trees.

• She is as brave as a lion.

• The classroom was a zoo.

• He ran like the wind.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

What is the main purpose of using rhetoric in writing?

• To create a rhyme scheme

• To persuade or influence the audience

• To describe a setting

• To provide factual information

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Which of the following best describes a "pun"?

• A play on words that exploits multiple meanings

• A statement that seems self-contradictory but reveals a truth

• The repetition of consonant sounds

• A comparison using "like" or "as"

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Which sentence contains an example of understatement?

• "The hurricane caused a bit of damage," he said, as he looked at the destroyed city.

• "The sun smiled down on us."

• "She is as fast as a cheetah."

• "The silence was deafening."

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Identify the oxymoron in the following sentence: "The comedian delivered a seriously funny joke."

• comedian delivered

• seriously funny

• funny joke

• delivered a joke

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5A

Which of the following sentences demonstrates parallelism?

• She likes reading, to swim, and biking.

• She likes reading, swimming, and biking.

• She likes to read, swim, and biking.

• She likes reading, to swim, and to bike.

Which of the following is a paradox?

• "Less is more."

• "The leaves danced in the wind."

• "He is as strong as an ox."

• "The cat meowed loudly."