West B Test Reading: Figurative Language and Literary Devices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of onomatopoeia?
- The lake was a mirror.
- The bees buzzed around the hive. (Correct answer)
- She was as brave as a lion.
- The early bird catches the worm.
Correct answer: The bees buzzed around the hive.
Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate natural sounds; 'buzzed' sounds like the noise bees make.
Question 2: An author mentions early in a story that the main character always checks the lock twice. Later, a break-in occurs. This technique is called:
- Flashback
- Foreshadowing (Correct answer)
- Irony
- Allegory
Correct answer: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is when an author gives an early hint or clue about something that will happen later in the story.
Question 3: In a story, a white dove appears whenever a character experiences peace. The dove most likely functions as a:
- Simile
- Symbol (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
- Euphemism
Correct answer: Symbol
Symbolism occurs when an object represents something beyond its literal meaning; the dove represents peace.
Question 4: Which sentence uses verbal irony (sarcasm)?
- After crashing his car, he said, 'Well, this is just wonderful.' (Correct answer)
- She ran as fast as a cheetah.
- The leaves danced in the autumn breeze.
- It rained cats and dogs all afternoon.
Correct answer: After crashing his car, he said, 'Well, this is just wonderful.'
Verbal irony means saying the opposite of what you mean; calling a car crash 'wonderful' is sarcastic.
Question 5: What is an oxymoron?
- A very long and complicated word
- A combination of contradictory terms used together (Correct answer)
- A word that imitates a natural sound
- A story in which characters represent abstract ideas
Correct answer: A combination of contradictory terms used together
An oxymoron pairs two contradictory words to create a paradoxical expression, such as 'deafening silence.'
Question 6: A flashback in a story primarily serves to:
- Hint at events that will happen in the future
- Provide background information about past events (Correct answer)
- Give human qualities to non-human objects
- Exaggerate a situation for humorous effect
Correct answer: Provide background information about past events
A flashback interrupts the present narrative to show scenes from the past, providing context or background.
Question 7: What does it mean when a passage uses the phrase 'bite the bullet'?
- To eat quickly without thinking
- To endure a painful or difficult situation (Correct answer)
- To speak harshly to someone
- To make a reckless decision
Correct answer: To endure a painful or difficult situation
The idiom 'bite the bullet' means to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and without complaint.
West B Test Reading: Figurative Language and Literary Devices 2
Which of the following is an example of onomatopoeia?