Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance

Which statement best defines alliteration?

• The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.

• The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words.

• The repetition of consonant sounds at the end of words.

• A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Answer explanation

Alliteration is the use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words that are close together. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, and consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.

Which sentence contains the clearest example of assonance?

• The curious cat crept quietly toward the corner.

• Mike's bike has bright white stripes.

• The wind whistled wildly through the willows.

• He struck a streak of bad luck.

Answer explanation

This sentence repeats the long 'i' vowel sound in 'Mike's,' 'bike,' 'white,' and 'stripes,' which is an example of assonance. The other options primarily show alliteration or consonance.

Match each literary device to its correct definition.

• Repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in a phrase.

• Consonance

• Repetition of the same vowel sound within words in a phrase.

• Alliteration

• Repetition of the same consonant sound within or at the end of words.

• Assonance

Answer explanation

Each term is matched to its specific definition. Alliteration is about initial consonants, assonance is about internal vowels, and consonance is about internal or final consonants.

Which phrase is the best example of consonance?

• Go and mow the lawn before you go home.

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• The pitter-patter of little feet on the floor.

• She sells seashells by the seashore.

Answer explanation

This phrase repeats the 't' and 'r' sounds within and at the end of the words 'pitter-patter' and 'little,' which is consonance. The other options are primarily examples of assonance or alliteration.

Sort each phrase into the category of the sound device it uses: Alliteration, Assonance, or Consonance.

Groups:

(a) Alliteration

,

(b) Assonance

,

(c) Consonance

• Dangerous Dan doesn't dare.

• He stood on the road and cried.

• The cool blue moon.

• First and last, the cat sat.

• Mike will bike to the finish line.

• A slimy snake slithered.

Answer explanation

Phrases are sorted based on their dominant sound device. Alliteration repeats initial consonants (s, d), Assonance repeats vowel sounds (oo, oa/ie), and Consonance repeats internal/final consonants (k, t).

Complete the sentence with a phrase that uses alliteration: 'For breakfast, my brother...'

• ...ate eggs and toast.

• ...wanted waffles with whipped cream.

• ...drank a glass of orange juice.

• ...made a smoothie with fruit.

Answer explanation

This option creates alliteration by repeating the 'w' sound in 'wanted,' 'waffles,' and 'with.' The other options do not use a repeated initial consonant sound.

Match each example to the sound device it demonstrates.

• Alliteration

• The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

• Assonance

• Toss the glass, boss.

• Consonance

• The big bug bit the little beetle.

Answer explanation

'The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain' demonstrates assonance through the repetition of the long 'a' vowel sound. 'The big bug bit the little beetle' is an example of alliteration, with the repetition of the initial 'b' consonant sound. 'Toss the glass, boss' shows consonance by repeating the final 's' consonant sound.

How is consonance different from alliteration?

• Consonance repeats vowel sounds, while alliteration repeats consonant sounds.

• Consonance repeats consonant sounds in the middle or end of words, while alliteration is only at the beginning.

• There is no difference; they are the same thing.

• Consonance is used in poetry, while alliteration is used in prose.

Answer explanation

The key difference is the position of the repeated sound. Alliteration occurs at the start of words, whereas consonance typically occurs in the middle or at the end of words.

Sort these phrases based on the type of sound being repeated: Repeated Vowel Sound (Assonance) or Repeated Consonant Sound (Alliteration/Consonance).

Groups:

(a) Repeated Vowel Sound (Assonance)

,

(b) Repeated Consonant Sound (Alliteration/Consonance)

• Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese.

• Carrie's cat clawed the couch.

• A black cat sat on the mat.

• He gave a nod to the officer on the rock.

• The sly snake slinks slowly.

Answer explanation

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds. 'Fleet feet' and 'sleeping geese' repeat the long 'ee' sound, 'black cat sat on the mat' repeats the short 'a' sound, and 'nod,' 'officer,' and 'rock' repeat the short 'o' sound. Alliteration and consonance involve repeated consonant sounds. 'Sly snake slinks slowly' repeats the 's' sound at the beginning of words (alliteration), and 'Carrie's cat clawed' repeats the 'k' sound (alliteration).

In the line, 'The light of the fire is a sight,' which sound device is most prominent?

• Alliteration

• Assonance

• Consonance

• Metaphor

Answer explanation

The sentence prominently repeats the long 'i' sound in 'light,' 'fire,' and 'sight,' which is the definition of assonance. While there is some consonance ('t'), the assonance is the most noticeable device.