Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance

Read the line of poetry below. 'The weary, weak-willed warrior waited for the war.' Which sound devices are used in this line?

• Alliteration and Assonance only

• Alliteration and Consonance only

• Assonance and Consonance only

• Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance

Answer explanation

The line uses alliteration (repetition of the initial 'w' sound in 'weary,' 'weak-willed,' 'warrior,' 'waited,' 'war'), assonance (repetition of the long 'e' vowel sound in 'weary' and 'weak'), and consonance (repetition of the 'r' consonant sound in 'weary,' 'warrior,' 'for,' and 'war').

Sort these phrases by the main sound device used: Alliteration, Assonance, or Consonance.

Groups:

(a) Alliteration

,

(b) Assonance

,

(c) Consonance

• The black cat sat back.

• Mike and his friend like to ride bikes.

• Peter Piper picked a peck.

• Go slow over the road.

• He struck a streak of bad luck.

• The cool cat crept carefully.

Answer explanation

Alliteration repeats beginning sounds ('cool cat crept'). Assonance repeats vowel sounds ('gO slOw Over'). Consonance repeats consonant sounds within or at the end of words ('blaCK caT saT baCK').

Which sentence about a video game best demonstrates assonance?

• The final foe fell fast.

• He has to beat the elite fleet to win.

• The boss was tough and rough.

• The character can crash through the wall.

Answer explanation

This sentence repeats the long 'e' sound in 'beat,' 'elite,' and 'fleet,' which is an example of assonance. The other options show alliteration, consonance, or no device.

Match each literary term to its correct definition.

• Repetition of beginning consonant sounds

• Alliteration

• Repetition of internal vowel sounds

• Consonance

• Repetition of internal or ending consonant sounds

• Assonance

Answer explanation

Each term is matched with its precise definition. Alliteration is at the beginning, assonance involves vowels, and consonance involves consonants not at the beginning.

Complete the sentence with a phrase that uses alliteration: To get ready for the party, we had to...

• buy balloons, bake a big cake, and book a band.

• get some chips, soda, and a few decorations.

• clean the house and also wash the dishes.

• send invitations and prepare the food.

Answer explanation

This option correctly uses alliteration by repeating the 'b' sound at the beginning of several words. The other options do not use this device.

Which sentence is the best example of consonance?

• The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

• The snake slithered silently.

• I think I like the pink kite.

• The wind was a howling wolf.

Answer explanation

This sentence demonstrates consonance by repeating the 'k' sound at the end or middle of the words 'think,' 'like,' 'pink,' and 'kite.'

Sort these real-world brand names into two categories: 'Uses Alliteration' or 'Does Not Use Alliteration'.

Groups:

(a) Uses Alliteration

,

(b) Does Not Use Alliteration

• Krispy Kreme

• Best Buy

• Coca-Cola

• Burger King

• Pizza Hut

• Dunkin' Donuts

Answer explanation

Alliteration occurs when words start with the same sound, like 'Best Buy' (B), 'Dunkin' Donuts' (D), 'Coca-Cola' (C/K sound), and 'Krispy Kreme' (K). The other names do not.

The sentence 'The cool moon loomed over the school' is an example of which sound device?

• Alliteration

• Assonance

• Consonance

• Simile

Answer explanation

The sentence repeats the long 'oo' vowel sound in 'cool,' 'moon,' 'loomed,' and 'school,' which is assonance. It is not alliteration because the beginning sounds are different.

Match each phrase to the sound device it primarily demonstrates.

• Assonance

• A fleet of sleeping geese.

• Consonance

• The pitter-patter of little feet.

• Alliteration

• She sells seashells by the seashore.

Answer explanation

'The pitter-patter of little feet' demonstrates consonance through the repetition of the 't' and 'r' consonant sounds within the words. 'She sells seashells by the seashore' is a classic example of alliteration, repeating the 's' sound at the beginning of words. 'A fleet of sleeping geese' uses assonance by repeating the long 'e' vowel sound.

Which sentence contains alliteration, even though the starting letters are different?

• The green grass grows.

• A nice night for a walk.

• The cat climbed quickly.

• Phil felt funny after the fair.

Answer explanation

Alliteration is about repeating sounds, not just letters. 'Phil' and 'funny' both start with the /f/ sound, making this alliteration.