Onomatopoeia

Which sentence uses onomatopoeia to describe the action?

• The old gate moved slowly in the wind.

• The old gate was as rusty as an ancient coin.

• The old gate creaked open in the wind.

• The wind was a whisper through the trees.

Answer explanation

The word 'creaked' imitates the sound of a rusty gate opening, which is an example of onomatopoeia. The other options use descriptive language, a simile, or a metaphor, but not a sound word.

Sort these words into the correct categories: Onomatopoeia or Not Onomatopoeia.

Groups:

(a) Onomatopoeia

,

(b) Not Onomatopoeia

• Silent

• Whisper

• Screech

• Quiet

• Mumble

• Loud

Answer explanation

Words like 'whisper,' 'screech,' and 'mumble' imitate the sounds they describe. Words like 'quiet,' 'loud,' and 'silent' describe a level of sound but do not imitate the sound itself.

Choose the best onomatopoeic word to complete the sentence: The chef dropped the eggs into the hot pan, and they immediately began to ______.

• cook

• sizzle

• change

• fry

Answer explanation

'Sizzle' is the word that imitates the sound of food cooking in a hot pan. The other words describe the action but do not represent the sound it makes.

Match each object or animal to the onomatopoeic sound it commonly makes.

• Chime

• A buzzing bee

• Drip

• A leaky faucet

• Purr

• A striking clock

• Buzz

• A happy cat

Answer explanation

Each word is matched to the sound it imitates: a faucet goes 'drip,' a cat can 'purr,' a clock may 'chime,' and a bee will 'buzz.'

What is the main effect of using onomatopoeia in a story?

• It makes the story longer and more detailed.

• It helps the reader hear the action and makes the scene more vivid.

• It introduces the main characters of the story.

• It explains the author's personal opinion.

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of onomatopoeia is to appeal to the reader's sense of hearing, making the writing more immersive and bringing the scene to life.

Sort these onomatopoeic words into categories based on the type of action they describe: Water Sounds or Collision Sounds.

Groups:

(a) Water Sounds

,

(b) Collision Sounds

• Crash

• Clang

• Drip

• Thud

• Gurgle

• Splash

Answer explanation

Words are grouped by the type of sound they imitate. 'Splash,' 'drip,' and 'gurgle' are associated with water, while 'thud,' 'crash,' and 'clang' are sounds of things hitting each other.

Identify the onomatopoeia in the following sentence: During the storm, the powerful thunder would often boom across the valley.

• powerful

• storm

• valley

• boom

Answer explanation

'Boom' is the onomatopoeia because it imitates the deep, loud sound of thunder. The other words describe the scene but do not imitate sounds.

Match the sentence containing onomatopoeia to the effect it creates for the reader.

• Creates an image of someone eating messily.

• He slurped his soup loudly.

• Creates a feeling of danger or warning.

• The fire crackled in the fireplace.

• Creates a cozy and warm atmosphere.

• The doorbell chimed.

• Creates the sound of a visitor arriving.

• The snake hissed at the hiker.

Answer explanation

Each onomatopoeic word is matched to the specific feeling or image it evokes. 'Hissed' suggests danger, 'crackled' suggests coziness, 'slurped' suggests messiness, and 'chimed' suggests a visitor.

Which of the following is the best definition of onomatopoeia?

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

• A word that imitates the natural sound of a thing or action.

• Giving human qualities to an inanimate object.

• An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis.

Answer explanation

This is the correct definition of onomatopoeia. The other options define a simile, personification, and hyperbole, respectively.

Classify each phrase as an example of 'Onomatopoeia' or 'Alliteration'.

Groups:

(a) Onomatopoeia

,

(b) Alliteration

• Peter Piper picked a peck.

• The boom of the fireworks.

• Slippery snakes slithered silently.

• The pitter-patter of rain.

Answer explanation

'Pitter-patter' and 'boom' are sound words (onomatopoeia). The other phrases repeat the initial 'S' and 'P' sounds, which is alliteration.