BECE Literary Devices in Prose 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a story, a character repeatedly sees a white dove before moments of peace. The dove most likely serves as:
- An allusion
- A symbol (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
- An oxymoron
Correct answer: A symbol
A symbol is an object, person, or event that represents something beyond its literal meaning.
Question 2: "The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the warm kitchen, mingling with cinnamon." This passage primarily uses:
- Metaphor
- Personification
- Imagery (Correct answer)
- Irony
Correct answer: Imagery
Imagery uses sensory details (smell, warmth) to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Question 3: Early in a story, a character ignores a warning sign on a dangerous road. Later, she is involved in an accident. The warning sign is an example of:
- Flashback
- Foreshadowing (Correct answer)
- Allegory
- Euphemism
Correct answer: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing uses early clues or hints to suggest what will happen later in the story.
Question 4: Which of the following phrases is an oxymoron?
- Burning fire
- Deafening silence (Correct answer)
- Cold ice
- Bright sunshine
Correct answer: Deafening silence
An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms in a single phrase; 'deafening' and 'silence' contradict each other.
Question 5: Instead of saying a soldier "died in battle," an author writes that he "fell in service." This is an example of:
- Hyperbole
- Irony
- Euphemism (Correct answer)
- Personification
Correct answer: Euphemism
A euphemism substitutes a mild or indirect expression for one that might seem harsh or blunt.
Question 6: A character is described as having "the patience of Job." This is an example of:
- Metaphor
- Simile
- Allusion (Correct answer)
- Symbolism
Correct answer: Allusion
An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, event, or text — here, Job from the Bible.
Question 7: The careful choice of words an author makes to convey meaning, style, and tone is called:
- Syntax
- Diction (Correct answer)
- Imagery
- Theme
Correct answer: Diction
Diction refers to the author's deliberate word selection and how it shapes the reader's understanding.
BECE Literary Devices in Prose 3
In a story, a character repeatedly sees a white dove before moments of peace.
The dove most likely serves as: