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Symbolism

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 2hrs 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following describes a symbol everyone recognizes?

a)

motif

b)

private

c)

universal

d)

abnormal

2.

What does a heart typically symbolize?

a)

fear

b)

time

c)

love

d)

hunger

3.

True or False?


Symbols can only have one meaning.

a)

True

b)

False

4.

Symbols are not just metaphors. A symbol must appear in a story’s...

a)

plot

b)

motif

c)

simile

d)

introduction

5.

Which of the following best describes a motif?

a)

a direct comparison found in a text

b)

a message about life found in a text

c)

an image that repeats throughout a text

d)

the driving force behind a character’s actions

6.

True or False?


Anything in a story can be a symbol.

a)

True

b)

False

7.

Two major ________ in The House on Mango Street have to do with Chicana identity and the American dream.

a)

plots

b)

themes

c)

images

d)

footnotes

8.

Esperanza’s house symbolizes poverty and...

a)

greed

b)

hard work

c)

unfulfilled dreams

d)

neighborhood history

9.

True or False?


Sandra Cisneros included symbols in The House on Mango Street on purpose.

a)

True

b)

False

10.

Symbols aren’t always obvious. In many cases, you have to look ________ to uncover a hidden theme.

a)

in the contents

b)

across chapters

c)

in a different text

d)

beneath the surface

11.

What word best matches the following definition?

Expressions not meant to be taken literally

a)

allusion

b)

idiom

c)

adage

d)

hyperbole

12.

What word best matches the following definition?

A wise old saying containing a universal truth

a)

adage

b)

personification

c)

hyperbole

d)

metaphor

13.

What word best matches the following definition?

Giving human characteristics to something nonhuman

a)

simile

b)

allusion

c)

hyperbole

d)

personification

14.

What word best matches the following definition?

Compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as"

a)

hyperpole

b)

metaphor

c)

simile

d)

personification

15.

What word best matches the following definition?

Compares two unlike things directly WITHOUT the words "like" or "as"

a)

adage

b)

metaphor

c)

symbolism

d)

simile

16.

What word best matches the following definition?

Uses words to paint a picture in the reader's mind

a)

allusion

b)

personification

c)

imagery

d)

symbolism

17.

What word best matches the following definition?

A combination of contradictory (opposite) terms

a)

oxymoron

b)

hyperbole

c)

adage

d)

symbolism

18.

What word best matches the following definition?

An exaggeration for dramatic or humorous effect

a)

oxymoron

b)

hyperbole

c)

simile

d)

allusion

19.

What word best matches the following definition?

An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or event

a)

metaphor

b)

imagery

c)

irony

d)

allusion

20.

What word best matches the following definition?

The opposite of what you expect; words used to convey the opposite

a)

idiom

b)

pun

c)

irony

d)

allusion

21.

What word best matches the following definition?

A part that refers to the whole (or vice versa)

a)

synecdoche

b)

irony

c)

simile

d)

metaphor

22.

What word best matches the following definition?

The repetition of the same letter sound at the start of nearby words

a)

synecdoche

b)

alliteration

c)

assonance

d)

consonance

23.

What word best matches the following definition?

An absurd or self-contradictory statement that may prove to be well-founded or true

a)

simile

b)

adage

c)

paradox

d)

allusion

24.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“Monday went by like a small summer cloud, like a dream in the first hours of dawn.”

a)

simile

b)

metaphor

c)

allusion

d)

irony

25.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“The shadows around me roused themselves as if from a deep sleep and left silently in every direction.”

a)

simile

b)

personification

c)

irony

d)

hyperbole

26.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“We were still trembling, and with every screech of the wheels, we felt the abyss opening beneath us.”

a)

simile

b)

allusion

c)

irony

d)

metaphor

27.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“It all belonged to everyone since it no longer belonged to anyone.”

a)

paradox

b)

adage

c)

allusion

d)

irony

28.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“My heart was about to burst. There. I was face-to-face with the Angel of Death…”

a)

metaphor

b)

hyperbole

c)

paradox

d)

adage

29.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“We were to leave the train here. There was a labor camp on site. The conditions were good. Families would not be separated.”

a)

situational irony

b)

verbal irony

c)

dramatic irony

d)

adage

30.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp...Never shall I forget the small faces of the children…”

a)

situational irony

b)

repetition

c)

synecdoche

d)

assonance

31.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“Never shall I forget that smoke…”

a)

irony

b)

repetition

c)

synecdoche

d)

metaphor

32.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“‘We mustn’t give up hope, even now as the sword hangs over our heads…’”

a)

idiom

b)

simile

c)

pun

d)

adage

33.

What word best captures the following example taken from Elie Wiesel's Night?

“‘I wanted to run away, but my feet were nailed to the floor."

a)

metaphor

b)

idiom

c)

pun

d)

paradox

34.

What is a symbol?

a)

a sign

b)

something representing something else

c)

an object

d)

characters in a story

35.
Symbols represent...
a)
...abstract concepts.
b)
...layers of meaning.
c)
...something other than the object itself.
d)
...All of the above.
36.
Why does an author use symbolism in their literary piece?
a)
To convey deeper meanings about a topic or subject
b)
To show the importance of symbols
37.

The writer describes a person in a jail yard intently watching a bird fly overhead. What might the bird be symbolizing?

a)

freedom

b)

knowledge

c)

the chosen one

d)

birth

38.

After struggling to escape a hard life, a character is described as twirling around on a spring day surrounded by newly budding trees and blooming flowers. What might this passage symbolize?

a)

sadness that the new season has started

b)

excitement to hear the birds chirping

c)

optimism that life is restarting; representing a new birth

d)

disappointment that summer is so close

39.


In this passage, the grapes symbolize—

a)

something that a person wants but can't have

b)

a desire to be happy and independent

c)

a delicious, satisfying meal

d)

a decision that is difficult to make

40.

Ana had spent an unhappy night of tossing and turning. Yesterday, the wrong move had caused her to lose the volleyball match. As she sat up in bed the next morning, she could see the sun just peeking over the bushes in her back yard. As the sun rose higher and shined more brightly, Ana felt her spirits lifting. Feeling her confidence return, Ana thought to herself, I know I can work harder, and I'll make the team forget yesterday ever happened.

In this passage, the rising sun symbolizes—

a)

Ana's house

b)

volleyball

c)

a second chance

d)

a sleepless night

41.

What is a symbol?

a)

a sign

b)

something representing something else

c)

an object

d)

characters in a story

42.

True or False: Symbols can only have one meaning.

a)

True

b)

False

43.

What is symbolism?

a)

When the author uses an object or reference to add deeper meaning to a story

b)

A reference to another literary work

c)

The tone of the story

d)

The events of the story

44.

The protagonist of a story is bored at school. She looks out the window and longingly watches a bird fly through the sky. What does the bird most likely symbolize?

a)

freedom

b)

knowledge

c)

danger

d)

re-birth

45.

In the movie "Snow White," the witch tries to sell Snow White an apple and says, "One bite and all your dreams will come true." In this story, the apple most likely symbolizes...

a)

Love

b)

War

c)

Temptation

d)

Peace

46.

What might a "storm" symbolize?

a)

A difficult time

b)

Thunder and lightning

c)

A party

d)

Cold weather

47.

What does the color red usually symbolize?

a)

sadness and calmness

b)

joy and fear

c)

jealousy and inexperience

d)

love and anger

48.

What does winter symbolize?

a)

youth and immaturity

b)

birth and new life

c)

old age and death

d)

change and adulthood

49.

Ana couldn't sleep all night because her missed kick caused her team to lose the game. Then the next morning, she could see the sun peeking over the trees. As the sun rose higher and shined more brightly, she felt better. She thought: I know I can work practice and do better at the next game!

In this passage, the rising sun symbolizes—

a)

Ana's house

b)

volleyball

c)

a second chance

d)

a sleepless night

50.

In a story, what could a storom symbolize?

a)

love

b)

happiness

c)

danger

d)

luck

51.

What image could you use to symbolize power?

4 lines
52.

What image could you use to symbolize relaxation?

4 lines
53.

A wife is thinking about leaving her abusive husband. She stares out the window as she considers her life. What does the window probably symbolize?

a)

fear

b)

leadership

c)

freedom

54.

In "The Hunger Games," Katniss is forced by the government to fight in a battle. But she always wears a pin with a Mockingjay bird. This pin probably symbolizes...

a)

love

b)

freedom

c)

loyalty

d)

evil

55.

If you wanted to show that a character was very mysterious, what might you describe in the sky above them?

a)

sunshine

b)

the moon

c)

clouds

d)

rainbow

56.

Which animal would best symbolize LOYALTY?

a)

snake

b)

dog

c)

pig

d)

tiger

57.

In the book "The Great Gatsby," Daisy's husband Tom is an angry and violent man.

This is why he is often described as wearing the color...

a)

red

b)

yellow

c)

green

d)

white

58.

How good are you at understanding symbolism??

a)

I don't get it 😓

b)

I'm pretty good! 👍

c)

I'm a symbolism EXPERT 🧠

59.

Traveling through a tunnel symbolizes

a)

a change from good to evil

b)

enlightenment

c)

new beginnings

d)

reflection and adolescence

60.

A river symbolizes

a)

a change from good to evil

b)

flow of life

c)

new beginnings

d)

reflection and adolescence

61.

Summer symbolizes

a)

a change from good to evil

b)

flow of life

c)

new beginnings

d)

reflection and adolescence

62.

Storm symbolizes

a)

a change from good to evil

b)

flow of life

c)

new beginnings

d)

trouble

63.

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile


What does the mask symbolize?

a)

a disguise

b)

hidden emotion

c)

grins and lies

d)

a covering for all or part of the face,

64.

Winter symbolizes

a)

new beginnings, life, youth, joy, love

b)

reflection, adolescents,

c)

changes

d)

end of something

65.

Fall symbolizes

a)

new beginnings, life, youth, joy, love

b)

reflection, adolescents,

c)

changes

d)

end of something

66.

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow


What does the broken winged bird symbolize?

a)

goals that you have met

b)

nightmare

c)

unfulfilled dreams

d)

life

67.

A rose with thorns is admirable to the eye, but can cause pain if it is not handled correctly.

Which of the following in the best symbolic explanation for the above statement?

a)

Roses are pretty but can cut you with its thorns

b)

A girl may be beautiful on the outside and beautiful on the inside

c)

Friendships are great to have and are always desirable.

d)

People can desire a relationship but if they are unfaithful in the relationship they will cause their partner pain

68.

An owl symbolizes_______.

a)

good luck

b)

wisdom

69.

The American flag symbolizes _______.

a)

wisdom

b)

freedom or independence

c)

poison

70.

The horseshoe symbolizes _______.

a)

freedom

b)

China

c)

good luck

71.

A tree symbolizes _______.

a)

death

b)

life

c)

royalty

72.

A cross symbolizes _______.

a)

happiness

b)

religion

c)

life

73.

Uncle Sam symbolizes ______.

a)

royalty

b)

poison

c)

America

74.

A dove symbolizes ________.

a)

peace

b)

life

c)

death

75.

The Yin and Yang symbol represents ________.

a)

America

b)

China

c)

the flag

76.

The Statue of Liberty symbolizes _________.

a)

happiness

b)

death

c)

freedom and independence

77.

The donkey is a symbol of the ________ political party.

a)

Democratic

b)

Republican

78.

The elephant is a symbol of the _________ political party.

a)

Democratic

b)

Republican

79.

The skull and crossbones symbolizes ________.

a)

death

b)

love

80.

When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, they can use what to show it?

a)

Mood

b)

Atmosphere

c)

Symbolism

d)

Characterization

81.

What does The Ugly Duckling symbolize?

a)

Beauty is skin deep

b)

Even though he was ugly he was still beautiful

c)

Being ugly isn't the worse

d)

The duckling wasn't too ugly

82.

What can the transition from day to night represent?

a)

Time

b)

Sky

c)

Good to evil

d)

The moon

83.

Symbols represent...

a)

...abstract concepts.

b)

...layers of meaning.

c)

...something other than the object itself.

d)

...things they already are.

84.

The protagonist of a story is bored at school. She looks out the window and longingly watches a bird fly through the sky. What does the bird most likely symbolize?

a)

freedom

b)

knowledge

c)

hope

d)

anger

85.

What does Spring symbolize?

a)

symbolizes - birth, rebirth, new beginnings, new life

b)

symbolizes - the prime of life, energetic, growing

c)

symbolizes - the decline, approach of death, getting old

d)

symbolizes - death, end of life, an ending

86.

True or false: Symbolism exists only in the study of literature.

a)

False

b)

True

87.

Which color is often used to symbolize anger, violence, or even love?

a)

Black

b)

Yellow

c)

Red

d)

Blue

88.

The color yellow symbolizes what emotions?

a)

Anger and sadness

b)

Joyfulness and contentedness

c)

Envy and greed

d)

Tenderness and love

89.

What color often symbolizes energy and vibrancy?

a)

Orange

b)

Brown

c)

Pink

d)

Purple

90.

What color symbolizes royalty or nobility?

a)

Pink

b)

Purple

c)

Orange

d)

Blue

91.

Fill in the blank: "My friend just bought a new car. I am _______________________ with envy!"

a)

Blue

b)

Red

c)

Green

d)

Yellow

92.

What color is said to symbolize tenderness, love, and romance?

a)

Pink

b)

Red

c)

Brown

d)

Purple

93.

What does the color of this character from Inside Out symbolize?

a)

Greed

b)

Nature

c)

Anger

d)

Disgust

94.
The MESSAGE about life or human nature that the author wants you - the reader or listener - to understand is called theme. 
a)
true
b)
false
95.
A theme can be written as one or two words.
a)
true
b)
false
96.
A skull and cross bone often symbolizes danger.
a)
true
b)
false
97.
What is language that describes something that can be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled (five senses)?
a)
imagery 
b)
plot
c)
conflict
d)
point of view
98.
What is the feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for a reader? 
a)
tone 
b)
mood
c)
foreshadowing 
d)
theme
99.
What is the speaker's or the author's attitude toward his subject called?
a)
tone 
b)
mood
c)
point of view 
100.
You can recognize the mood by the words and the details the author chooses.
a)
true
b)
false

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