Regents English Figurative Language and Literary Devices 2

Question 1

'Life is a roller coaster' is an example of which literary device?

Accepted Answer

Metaphor

Answer

A metaphor directly states that one thing is another, comparing life to a roller coaster without using 'like' or 'as.'

Question 2

'The golden sun melted into the horizon as crimson waves lapped against the shore' primarily uses:

Accepted Answer

Imagery

Answer

Imagery uses vivid, descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a mental picture for the reader.

Question 3

'The bees buzzed busily around the blooming flowers' contains which two literary devices?

Accepted Answer

Alliteration and onomatopoeia

Answer

'Buzzed' is onomatopoeia (a word that imitates a sound) and the repeated 'b' sounds demonstrate alliteration.

Question 4

When characters or events in a story represent abstract ideas beyond their literal meaning — such as characters representing love or hatred — the author is using:

Accepted Answer

Symbolism

Answer

Symbolism is when a person, object, or event represents something beyond its literal meaning, such as an abstract idea like love.

Question 5

'She arrived with the grace of a gazelle' — which device is used here?

Accepted Answer

Simile

Answer

This is a simile because it uses 'of' to compare her grace to a gazelle's in a way functionally equivalent to using 'like' or 'as.'

Regents English Practice Test

Regents English Practice Test

Regents English Figurative Language and Literary Devices 2