This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Figures of Speech”.
1. Which of the following sentences is an example for Simile?
a) On seeing him, the dog started barking
b) Art lies in concealing art
c) Their team captain is as cool as a cucumber
d) Hasten slowly
View Answer
Explanation: In the sentence, ‘Their team captain is as cool as a cucumber’, the captain is being compared to cucumber for his cool and calm composure. Thus, it qualifies as a Simile.
2. Identify the figure of speech in the below sentence.
Camel is considered the ship of the desert.
a) Personification
b) Metaphor
c) Simile
d) Pun
View Answer
Explanation: The given sentence compares ‘Camel’ to a ‘ship’ without using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. Thus, Metaphor is employed in the sentence.
3. If the adjective in a sentence describes another closely associated word instead of the Subject, the figure of speech employed in that sentence is _________
a) Simile
b) Transferred Epithet
c) Interrogation
d) Irony
View Answer
Explanation: The figure of speech employed in such circumstances is Transferred Epithet. Consider the sentence, ‘His careless batting is the reason we lost the match’, wherein ‘careless’ refers to ‘batting’ instead of the Subject.
4. When two things of the same kind are compared, the figure of speech will be Simile.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The figure of speech in a sentence will be Simile if the comparison is made between two different things that however has at least one thing in common.
5. Identify the sentence employing Apostrophe.
a) Death, come and relieve me of this grief
b) Susan fought brave like a lion
c) Child is the father of man
d) Boys will be boys
View Answer
Explanation: In the sentence, ‘Death, come and relieve me of this grief’, the subject addresses ‘death’, a non-existent thing. Therefore, it employs Apostrophe.
6. From the options, identify the figure of speech in the below sentence.
Thomas ran faster than the wind.
a) Irony
b) Personification
c) Hyperbole
d) Antithesis
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence seems to exaggerate the running skills of Thomas by claiming that he runs faster than the wind. Such statements are said to be hyperboles.
7. The phrase ‘foolish wisdom’ is an example of ________
a) Synecdoche
b) Euphemism
c) Oxymoron
d) Pun
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Foolish wisdom’ is an example of Oxymoron as it is a combination of two opposite words. Other examples include, ‘seriously funny’, ‘awfully pretty’ etc.,
8. Select the figure of speech employed in the below sentence from the options.
The correct way to learn a new language is to speak it.
a) Epigram
b) Synecdoche
c) Metaphor
d) Apostrophe
View Answer
Explanation: The given sentence is a witty statement expressing it’s idea in an amusing way. Thus, Epigram is the figure of speech here.
9. Select the sentence which can be considered as an example for Oxymoron.
a) Bring me a cup of tea
b) She had a sort of love-hate relationship with him
c) Thy shall be done!
d) His behavior is atrocious. You have to nip it in the bud
View Answer
Explanation: The word ‘love-hate’ in the sentence, ‘She had a sort of love-hate relationship with him’ is a good example for Oxymoron. It refers to the contradictory qualities of the relationship.
10. The figure of speech introduced by the words ‘like’, ‘as’ or ‘so’ is_________
a) Climax
b) Epigram
c) Simile
d) Metaphor
View Answer
Explanation: Simile is introduced by words such as ‘like’, ‘as’ or ‘so’. Consider the following example, ‘The brothers fought like cats and dogs’.
11. Choose the correct figure of speech used in the below sentence.
Trust me, our Professor is no fool.
a) Simile
b) Litotes
c) Climax
d) Metonymy
View Answer
Explanation: The phrase ‘no fool’ present in the sentence refers to the meaning ‘very clever’. Here, affirmation is being conveyed by the negation of opposite. Therefore, Litotes is the correct answer.
12. The figure of speech employed in the below sentence is Transferred Epithet.
John had a sleepless night yesterday.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: In the given sentence, the word ‘sleepless’ is an adjective describing the noun ‘night’, instead of the subject ‘John’. Thus, the figure of speech here is Transferred Epithet.
13. The figure of speech in the given sentence is ___________
Janson took the last slice of pizza saying that it was calling out his name.
a) Antithesis
b) Epigram
c) Personification
d) Anticlimax
View Answer
Explanation: Here, an inanimate object is referred to having speaking ability. Thus, the correct figure of speech is Personification.
14. When a direct address is being made to the dead or to the absent, the figure of speech employed is ________
a) Anticlimax
b) Litotes
c) Oxymoron
d) Apostrophe
View Answer
Explanation: Apostrophe is considered as a special form of Personification in which the Subject addresses the dead or non-existing things as if they have feelings.
15. Choose the sentence in which Transferred Epithet is employed.
a) Am I my brother’s keeper?
b) Brutus is an honorable man
c) He travelled down the weary road
d) Be ambitious like Manoj
View Answer
Explanation: Transferred Epithet is employed in the sentence, ‘He travelled down the weary road’. Here the word ‘weary’ describes the ‘road’ and not the Subject.
More English Grammar Exercises on Figures of Speech:
- Figures of Speech Exercises (Set 2)
- Figures of Speech Exercises (Set 3)
- Figures of Speech Exercises (Set 4)
- Figures of Speech Exercises (Set 5)
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