Font size
WorksheetsLit Terms
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
What literary device is used in the passage above?
Hyperbole
Hypophora
Anaphora
Epiphora
What is the difference between alliteration, consonance, and assonance?
The types of letters repeating and where the repetition happens within a word.
The number of times something is repeated in a text.
The syllables that are emphasized in the repetition.
Nothing, they are essentially different words for the same thing.
What is the function of an adjective?
It describes or modifies a verb.
It describes or modifies a noun.
It describes or modifies an adverb.
It describes or modifies other adjectives.
The last time Juliet saw him, he was getting into Ronnie's car.
What part of speech is Ronnie's as it is used in the sentence above?
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Verb
What is the function of an adverb?
Describe or modify a noun
Describe or modify a noun, adjective, or a preposition
Describe or modify an interjection or a pronoun
Describe or modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb
The super angry dog aggressively attacked the very terrified girl who was innocently skating by.
How many adverbs are used in the sentence above?
4
3
2
5
What is an allegory?
A story that brings joy to others
A story within a story
A story that follows a specific pattern
A story that makes an indirect reference to something in pop culture
Which sentence would be an example of an allusion?
She cringed when she saw Calculus on her schedule because math has always been her kryptonite.
There were a million reasons to leave him, but she only needed one to stay.
The teacher taught too many concepts at one time.
The blind spot in the back of the cornea creates an interesting trick of the brain.
To err is human; to forgive is divine.
What literary device is used in the sentence above?
Apostrophe
Oxymoron
Epistrophe
Antithesis
Which of these is an example of apostrophe?
Your nose seems to grow every time you tell me where you've been.
The little star winked at anyone who looked her way.
She can't keep up the act anymore.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
She ran, jumped, vaulted, landed - a perfect 10!
What literary device is used in the sentence above?
Polysyndeton
Asyndeton
Anaphora
Hypophora
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
What literary device is used in the sentence above?
Asyndeton
Polysyndeton
Apostrophe
Chiasmus
What is the highest point of tension or drama in the plot of a narrative called?
Exposition
Climax
Denoument
Anaphora
Colloquialism refers to highly formal language.
True
False
What does conflict do in a story?
It creates and drives the plot forward.
It shifts the emphasis to the antagonist.
It slows down the dramatic elements.
It creates tension and anaphora.
What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
Connotation is the dictionary definition of a word and denotation is the emotional meaning
Connotation is the emotional meaning and denotation is the dictionary definition of a word
Connotation refers to the literal meaning of a word and denotation refers to the number of syllables
Connotation referes to the number of syllables and denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word
The literary device that authors use when they carefully choose their words to establish a specific voice or convey a particular meaning is called...
Dialect
Tone
Mood
Diction
Choose the example that uses an embedded quote.
"Jackson is a sheep among wolves." This statement resonates with readers because we know Jackson is actually a wolf.
McKenzie tugs on her readers' heartstrings by sharing "earth-shattering tragedies" that prompt a deep sense of empathy for the main character and what she has to endure.
Eldridge creates tension in the story by using short, imperative sentences that enhance the suspense.
The main character in the story was not easy to empathize with because she behaved so callously. "Jezebel pushed forward with her plan despite knowing that doing so would claim the lives of multiple innocent civilians."
“Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring
And would conceive for what I gave the ring
And how unwillingly I left the ring,
When nought would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.”
Identify the literary device used above.
Apostrophe
Juxtaposition
Epiphora
Euphemism
The materialistic woman was disappointed to find out that her love interest was between jobs at the moment.
Identify the literary device used above.
Apostrophe
Anaphora
Epiphora
Euphemism
In what part of a story do authors introduce the setting and characters?
The climax
The exposition
The denoument
The rising action
A literary character intended to highlight attributes in another character is called...
Foil
Protagonist
Antagonist
Secondary character
What is it called when an author builds tension in a story by hinting at events that are to come?
Flashback
Anaphora
Speculating
Foreshadowing
What is the literary device that refers to the framework of a literary text or how that text is put together?
Diction
Style
Form
Prose
Identify the sentence that uses a hyperbole.
Her smile lights up the night sky.
My mom left me a ton of chores to do.
The driver zoomed past his delivery stop.
I had 3 pages of homework to finish.
Which of the following sentences uses hypophora?
Do you think I am stupid?
Why should you vote for me? I'll give you three good reasons.
Does a bear poop in the woods?
Who made this mess? Who is going to clean it up?
Which of the following sentences contains an idiom?
Ariel hates to get too emotional.
I have a million things to do today.
Brody ran the marathon in record time.
I hate it when you beat around the bush.
Which of the following does NOT use imagery?
His words felt like a dagger in my heart.
The dancer used her best moves.
Her lips tasted as sweet as sugar.
His shrill cries echoed through the cave.
Which of the following is an example of dramatic irony?
A woman thinks her boyfriend is acting strange because he is about to propose but the audience knows he is about to run away with another woman.
A woman thinks her boyfriend is about to propose because her friend said she saw him buying a ring.
The only house in the neighborhood that was vandalized belonged to a police officer.
Bill stepped out into the middle of the storm and exlaimed, "What nice weather was are having!"
The fact that Cinderella was so good-natured while her step-sisters were cruel is an example of juxtaposition in a story.
True
False
Tio and uncle are two different terms within the same lexical field.
True
False
Which of the following is NOT true of literary analysis?
It involves closely studying a text
It focuses on how the text was written
It focuses on the technical aspects of writing
It focuses on the content of a given text
Choose the text that uses an extended metaphor.
Angel's joy is a flightless bird. Marie is the only thing that could ever fix his broken wings.
He is a lion. He jumps from one sky scraper to another in a feat to take over the world.
My imagination is a 3-ring circus. My thoughts race around the track with no speed limit in sight.
Brandon is a successful business man. He easily supports his family with what he earns from his business endeavors.
What is the difference between a regular metaphor and an extended one?
Nothing, they are the same thing.
A regular metaphor does not use the words "like" or "as," but an extended one does
A regular metaphor focuses only on comparison, but an extended one brings in contrast
A regular metaphor makes a quick comparison, but an extended one continues the original comparison
How would you describe the mood in the following text:
"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before"
Romantic
Mysterious
Humorous
Melancholy
What is the difference between a motif and a symbol?
A motif is recurring whereas a symbol only occurs once or twice in a text
A symbol is recurring whereas a motif only occurs once or twice in a text
A motif includes a variety of symbols where as a symbol is only one thing
A symbol is the opposite of a motif
What is the difference between a common noun and a proper noun?
A proper noun is an every day person, place, or thing whereas a common noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing
A common noun is an every day person, place, or thing whereas a proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing
A common noun replaces the name of a person, place, or thing whereas a proper noun describes it
A proper noun replaces the name of a person, place, or thing whereas a common noun describes it
Which of the following uses onomatopoeia?
The blue bird sang happily in the tree.
The snake slithered along the sidewalk.
The bee buzzed past my ear.
The butterfly floated over the flowers.
Choose the example that uses an oxymoron.
Eduard drove past the Dunkin' Donuts every morning on the way to his Weight Watchers meeting.
The high school football team won big last night.
Money can buy you almost everything in life except for love.
Going to bed early is the only choice I have once school starts.
Which of the following is an example of a paradox?
Sometimes you have to spend money to make money in the business world.
Crossing from one town to another sometimes feels like transitioning between two different worlds.
The less you complain, the more time and energy you will have to get it done.
You have to think outside the box to get somewhere these days.
A category to which a word is assigned according to its syntactic functions is called...
An adjective
A part of speech
A rhetorical device
An adverb
Which of the following is an example of personification?
The bear growled at the group of hikers.
The monkey swung from one tree to another with ease.
The camera always loves her.
The pale moon lit up the night sky.
In which narrative point of view does an author directly reveal the intimate thoughts and feelings of two or more characters?
3rd Person Limited POV
3rd Person Objective POV
3rd Person Omniscient POV
3rd Person Subjective POV
In which narrative point of view is the narrator also the main character in the story?
1st Person POV
3rd Person Limited POV
3rd Person Objective POV
1st Person AND 3rd Person limited POV
Which literary device uses multiple repetitions of the same conjunction?
Anaphora
Epiphora
Polysyndeton
Asyndeton
Which of the following is an example of a pun?
Better late than never.
I have to bite the bullet and get this project done today.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationary.
Never bite off more than you can chew.
How do you determine the register of a text?
By the dialect and jargon employed within.
By the number of adverbs and adjectives in each section of text.
By the use of repetition and rhetorical devices found.
By the context in which it is spoken and the level of formality is uses.
What is usually the purpose of repetition used in a text?
To clarify the context
To emphasize a point
To elucidate a fragment
To minimize a point
A literary technique that uses language effectively and persuasively is called...
Anaphora
Hypophora
Jargon
Rhetoric
Which rhetorical device relies on statistics and data to help persuade an audience?
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
When a text relies on emotional appeal to persuade an audience, which rhetorical device is it employing?
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Hiring Dwayne Wayde to serve as the official sponsor for a new brand of sneakers is an example of which rhetorical device?
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Which of the following is an example of pathos?
A woman demonstrates her favorite blush at a makeup stand in the local department store.
A panel of dentists post an official recommendation for a new mouthwash on the company's blog.
A wealthy businessman attends a town hall meeting to argue in favor of rent control in his neighborhood.
A man at the car dealership implores the salesman to offer the best price on a new car because he needs to support his young family.
A rhetorical question is a question that is asked and then immediately followed up with an answer.
True
False
Which of the following is an example of the rule of 3's?
Authors often grapple with word choice, narrative point of view, conflict, and resolution.
Authors often use the rule of 3's to make the text more memorable, emphasize a point, and enhance the flow of a text.
Authors often use the rule of 3's to make the text more memorable and to emphasize a point.
Authors often grapple with point of view and conflict when developing their stories.
A phrase or entire work that uses irony to critique behaviors, events, people, or vices is called...
Satire
Oxymoron
Paradox
Ironic rhetoric
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
Pass the salt.
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
The dog bit him in the leg.
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
Do you even know what you are doing?
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
Ouch! That hit me in the head!
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
What did you think would happen?
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Identify the type of sentence used in the following:
Wait for me.
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Choose the BEST definition for "setting"
Where a story takes place
When a story takes place
When and where a story takes place
The when, where, and why of a story
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
Nothing, they are the same because they both compare unlike things
A simile does not use the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison but a metaphor does
A simile uses the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison but a metaphor does not
A simile extends the comparison whereas the metaphor is just a brief comparison
A symbol is something used to represent a larger concept or idea.
True: it is only objects that can serve as symbols
True: anything can serve as a symbol including objects and actions
False: a symbol needs to be universally agreed upon to have meaning
False: symbols can only represent specific ideas
Noticing how the sentence lengths and sentence types influence meaning in a text is an example of analyzing what?
Lexis
Semantics
Syntax
Rhetoric
Syntax is essentially the same thing as sentence structure.
True
False
The speaker or narrator's attitude toward the subject of a text is called...
Tone
Mood
Syntax
Epiphora
Choose the example of an umbrella statement.
iPods are the best source for transporting and playing music not only because they are compact and user-friendly but also because they store large amounts of music.
Mansfield's story, The Garden Party, is written in near auto-biographical format.
In her poem, Wild Nights, Emily Dickinson writes about a pivotal moment in her life.
The irreverent humor used in Futurama is not used simply to entertain, but to comment on deeper societal issues.
For the best possible umbrella statement, you should include both a primary and secondary purpose to focus on.
True
False
A verb can BEST be defined as...
An action
A state of being
An action OR a state of being
An action, state of being, and descriptive modifier
Jeremy is hungry.
Identify the part of speech for: is
Adjective
Verb
Adverb
Preposition
Choose the phrase with the MOST NEGATIVE connotation.
A stingy person
A thrifty person
Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.
My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.
cheap
stingy
selfish
thrifty
Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.
I admire the man who jumped on the subway tracks to rescue a stranger. He was certainly ________________.
foolhearty
rash
corageous
reckless
Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.
It annoys my husband whenever his sister butts into our conversations. He can't stand how ____________ she is.
curious
concerned
nosy
interested
Which of the following is an example of symbolism in literature?
Water symbolizing rebirth
The color black to symbolize evil
The river to symbolize time
All of these are correct
Archetype is just a fancy word for pattern.
True
False
What is the difference between an embedded quote and a regular quote?
An embedded quote only uses the most relevant parts of a text and follows it up with explanation and elaboration
An embedded quote is taken from a specific part of the text and is linked to the meaning by additional quotes from subsequent sections
An embedded quote is longer than a regular quote
An embedded quote can't go over a specific word limit
A literary device that helps readers visualize a text by using words that appeal to the senses is called...
Syntax
Hypophora
Semantics
Imagery
Which literary device is used in the following quote:
"...we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty"
Anaphora
Epiphora
Asyndeton
Polysyndeton
Which literary device is used in the following quote:
"And that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Asyndeton
Epiphora
Anaphora
Juxtaposition
Which literary device is being used in the following quote:
"So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania..."
Anaphora
Epiphora
Asyndeton
Juxtaposition
Which literary device is used in the following quote:
"If you fail to plan, then plan to fail."
Juxtaposition
Euphemism
Polysendeton
Chiasmus
Which literary device is used in the example below:
“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”
Antithesis
Anaphora
Chiasmus
Hypophora
The following is an example of what kind of literary device?
“The big sycamore by the creek was gone. The willow tangle was gone. The little enclave of untrodden bluegrass was gone. The clump of dogwood on the little rise across the creek–now that, too, was gone….”
Epiphora
Anaphora
Chiasmus
Assonance
Identify the literary device used in the following example:
How many people die from lung cancer each year? About 157,423 people die from lung cancer each year.
Irony
Hypophora
Epistrophe
Assonance
Identify the literary device used below:
The pest control service office was overrun by roaches and rodents.
Paradox
Juxtaposition
Irony
Personification
Identify the literary device used below:
"All's fair in love and war."
Pun
Metaphor
Oxymoron
Juxtaposition
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
Anger is a monster waiting to devour happiness.
Simile
Juxtaposition
Epiphora
Metaphor
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
Bill is a cheerful pessimist.
Paradox
Extended Metaphor
Oxymoron
Antithesis
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
Sometimes paddling upstream is smoother than flowing with the current.
Pun
Paradox
Juxtaposition
Chiasmus
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
The best way to communicate with a fish is to drop them a line.
Personification
Hypophora
Metaphor
Pun
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
"4 out of 5 people want to see the new Avengers movie."
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
"Smoking is one of the leading causes cancer, so this proves that it is bad for you."
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device(s) used in the example below (select all that apply):
"You should consider another road if you leave later. My policeman neighbor told me that that street is far more dangerous and scary at night than during the daytime."
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
"You will never be satisfied in life if you don't seize this opportunity. Do you want to live the rest of your years yearning to know what would have happened if you just jumped when you had the chance?"
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut."
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
"If my years as a Marine taught me anything, it's that caution is the best policy in this sort of situation."
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Bogos
Identify the literary device used in the example below:
A movie you are watching shows a woman jogging in the woods. The next scene shows a mountain lion lying in wait down the path from where the woman is jogging.
Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony
Verbal Irony
