Literary Devices and Grammar Quiz

Which uses 'like' or 'as'?

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

Answer explanation

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'. This distinguishes it from metaphor, which does not use these words. Therefore, the correct answer is simile.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

What is personification?

• A writing style for the ages

• Giving human traits to non-human things

• As cold as ice

• The song is fire.

Answer explanation

Personification is a literary device where human traits are attributed to non-human entities, making them relatable. The correct choice, 'Giving human traits to non-human things,' accurately defines this concept.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Which is a metaphor?

• As busy as a bee

• The song is fire.

Answer explanation

A metaphor directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. 'The song is fire' suggests the song is exciting or excellent, making it a metaphor. 'As busy as a bee' is a simile, not a metaphor.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Is this personification? "The stars danced in the sky."

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Yes, this is personification because it attributes human qualities, like 'dancing', to non-human entities, in this case, the stars. Therefore, the correct answer is True.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Which sentence uses personification?

• The trees were tall and thick.

• The trees grew slowly.

• The trees stared at me.

Answer explanation

The sentence "The trees stared at me" uses personification by giving trees the human ability to stare, which is not possible for them. The other sentences describe the trees without attributing human traits.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Hyperbole is an exaggeration

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Hyperbole is indeed an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. Therefore, the statement is true.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Which is an example of understatement?

• I am full

• I like food

• I could eat a horse

Answer explanation

The phrase 'I am full' is an example of understatement because it downplays the speaker's state of being full, suggesting they are only slightly satisfied, while they may actually be very full.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Which is a hyperbole?

• I am full

• I like food

• I could eat a horse

Answer explanation

The phrase 'I could eat a horse' is a hyperbole, as it exaggerates the speaker's hunger to an impossible extent. The other options are straightforward statements without exaggeration.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Understatement is the opposite of...

• Alliteration

• Minimization

Answer explanation

Understatement involves presenting something as less significant than it is, while minimization also reduces the importance of something. Therefore, understatement is the opposite of minimization, as it downplays rather than diminishes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

What does 'raining cats and dogs' mean?

• Cats and dogs are falling

• It's loud outside.

• It's raining very hard.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'raining cats and dogs' is an idiomatic expression that means it's raining very hard. It does not literally mean animals are falling, nor does it imply loudness, making 'It's raining very hard' the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B