Lit Devices
Which example shows enjambment?
A. The storm arrived fast and loud across town
B. I reached for the door and it was gone already
C. I reached for the door
but it was already gone
before I could touch it
D. The storm arrived. The lights went out suddenly
C. I reached for the door
but it was already gone
before I could touch it
Which example best shows juxtaposition?
A. A quiet library filled with students studying
B. A luxury mansion standing next to a broken apartment
C. A group of students walking through the hallway together
D. A mansion described with rich and detailed language
B. A luxury mansion standing next to a broken apartment
Which is an anachronism?
A. A knight sharpening a sword before battle begins
B. A Roman soldier sending a text message on a phone
C. A king holding court in a medieval castle hall
D. A farmer using a horse to plow a field slowly
B. A Roman soldier sending a text message on a phone
Which is a metaphor?
A. She is like a shining star in the night sky
B. She is as bright as a star in the sky
C. She is a star in the classroom every day
D. She shines brightly like a distant star
C. She is a star in the classroom every day
Which is a simile?
A. Her anger was a burning volcano inside her
B. Her anger erupted like a burning volcano suddenly
C. Her anger became a volcano during the argument
D. Her anger burned intensely throughout the entire room
B. Her anger erupted like a burning volcano suddenly
Which is apostrophe?
A. The wind moved quietly across the empty field
B. She told her friend goodbye before leaving home
C. “Oh, time, why do you move so quickly today?”
D. He walked slowly toward the classroom door
C. “Oh, time, why do you move so quickly today?”
Which shows personification?
A. The wind moved quickly through the tall green trees
B. The wind whispered secrets through the tall green trees
C. The wind was strong and cold throughout the night
D. The wind blew steadily across the open field
B. The wind whispered secrets through the tall green trees
What is the purpose of personification?
A. To make non-human things feel more alive and relatable
B. To remove emotion and focus only on factual description
C. To explain events in a clear step-by-step sequence
D. To simplify writing by reducing descriptive language used
A. To make non-human things feel more alive and relatable
How is a simile different from a metaphor?
A. Similes always describe emotions while metaphors do not
B. Similes use “like” or “as” while metaphors do not
C. Similes are only found in poetry and not prose
D. Similes always exaggerate meaning more than metaphors
B. Similes use “like” or “as” while metaphors do not
Which is an idiom?
A. I feel sick because of the changing weather outside
B. I am standing under heavy rain during the storm
C. I am under the weather and need some rest
D. I feel cold and tired after being outside
C. I am under the weather and need some rest
Which is onomatopoeia?
A. The clock ticked loudly in the silent classroom
B. The wind moved quickly across the empty field
C. The classroom was quiet during the test period
D. The door opened slowly into the hallway space
A. The clock ticked loudly in the silent classroom
Why is “Life is a journey” considered a metaphor?
A. It uses comparison words like “like” or “as”
B. It exaggerates life in a humorous way for effect
C. It directly states life is something else entirely
D. It describes life using literal travel language only
C. It directly states life is something else entirely
What is the effect of onomatopoeia in writing?
A. It helps readers clearly visualize historical events
B.t replaces dialogue between characters in scenes
C. It reduces the need for descriptive imagery overall
D. It allows readers to hear sounds within the text
D. It allows readers to hear sounds within the text
What is the main purpose of juxtaposition in writing?
A. To highlight contrast between two different ideas or situations
B. To describe one setting using strong sensory details
C. To explain how two events happen in sequence over time
D. To focus attention on a single character’s emotions only
A. To highlight contrast between two different ideas or situations
What makes apostrophe different from normal dialogue?
A. It uses direct conversation between two living characters
B. It addresses something that cannot respond back
C. It always includes rhyme and rhythmic structure
D. It focuses only on describing physical actions
B. It addresses something that cannot respond back
Why can idioms be confusing for readers?
A. They are always outdated expressions no one uses
B. They always include exaggeration or emotional language
C. They are written only in poetry and not prose
D. Their meanings are not literal and must be learned
D. Their meanings are not literal and must be learned
Why might an author include an anachronism intentionally?
A. To create humor or modern commentary within history
B. To improve accuracy of historical details in the text
C. To confuse readers about the setting and timeline
D. To make the story feel more realistic and precise
A. To create humor or modern commentary within history
Which is an allusion?
A. He ran quickly and finished the race easily
B. She has the strength of Hercules in competition
C. He trained hard every single day after school
D. She won the race with great determination
B. She has the strength of Hercules in competition
What does imagery primarily do in writing?
A. It provides direct explanation of character thoughts
B. It appeals to the five senses of the reader
C. It summarizes events in a shorter written form
D. It replaces dialogue with descriptive narration only
B. It appeals to the five senses of the reader
Why do writers use allusions in text?
A. To replace the need for character development entirely
B. To reference shared knowledge for deeper meaning
C. To simplify ideas for younger or less skilled readers
D. To avoid explaining ideas within the narrative itself
B. To reference shared knowledge for deeper meaning
Which sentence most effectively combines multiple senses to create a unified image?
A. The cafeteria was busy and smelled like food this morning
B. The cafeteria smelled like lunch and students were everywhere
C. The cafeteria air carried the scent of fried food while trays clattered and voices echoed
D. Students ate lunch and talked as loud as a siren during the break
C. The cafeteria air carried the scent of fried food while trays clattered and voices echoed
Which sentence most effectively uses alliteration to reinforce tone rather than decoration?
A. Students studied silently during school hours
B. Busy students barely bothered before the bell rang
C. Students completed assignments during class time
D. Books were placed neatly on the desk
B. Busy students barely bothered before the bell rang
Why would a poet use enjambment instead of end-stopped lines?
A. To make each line feel complete and grammatically finished
B. To slow reading so each line receives equal emphasis
C. To create smooth flow and carry meaning across lines
D. To make the poem easier to read aloud clearly
C. To create smooth flow and carry meaning across lines
Which sentence most clearly uses hyperbole to emphasize emotional intensity rather than literal meaning?
A. I was tired after practice today that I fell asleep in the car
B. I’m so tired I could sleep through an entire school year
C. I went to bed early after practice and skipped dinner
D. I felt sleepy during class today so I put my head down
B. I am so tired I could sleep forever and ever
What is the purpose of hyperbole?
A. To describe events in a realistic and factual way
B. To exaggerate for emphasis, humor, or emotional effect
C. To compare two things using “like” or “as”
D. To provide detailed sensory descriptions in writing
B. To exaggerate for emphasis, humor, or emotional effect