Figures Of Speech Quiz (Level B2-C1) - Writing Practice

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B2, C1 📚 Type: Writing ⭐ XP: up to +19 (on pass)

Review Figures Of Speech with 15 practice exercises at Level B2-C1. Each question comes with a detailed explanation to reinforce what you already know and fill in any gaps. Add this to your daily study routine — just 7 minutes to stay sharp.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: What figure of speech is used in the following sentence? "The classroom was a zoo after the teacher left."

Question 1 options
This sentence is a metaphor because it directly compares the classroom to a zoo without using 'like' or 'as.' A metaphor states that one thing is another to highlight a shared quality — in this case, chaos and noise.
Q2 15

Question 2: Complete the sentence with the correct figure of speech: "After waiting three hours in the rain, Marcus finally got inside and muttered, 'Well, that was ___ a delightful experience.'"

Question 2 options
The word 'delightful' contradicts the unpleasant situation of waiting three hours in the rain. This is irony — using language that conveys the opposite of what is literally meant to express frustration or sarcasm.
Q3 15

Question 3: A simile always uses the words 'like' or 'as' to make a comparison, whereas a metaphor states the comparison directly without these words.

Question 3 options
This is true. The defining distinction between a simile and a metaphor is that a simile uses 'like' or 'as' to draw its comparison, while a metaphor equates two things directly.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses hyperbole?

Question 4 options
"I've told you a million times to lock the door" is hyperbole because it uses deliberate exaggeration (a million times) to emphasize frustration. The other options use simile, metaphor, or literal language rather than exaggeration.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each figure of speech to its correct definition or example.

Question 5 options
Oxymoron
Onomatopoeia
Anaphora
Alliteration
A word that imitates a natural sound
Repetition of a word at clause beginnings
Repetition of initial consonant sounds
Two contradictory words placed together

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

An oxymoron combines contradictory words; onomatopoeia imitates natural sounds; anaphora repeats a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses; alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence contains an error in the use of a figure of speech?

Question 6 options
"She runs like a cheetah is fast" is a faulty simile. A correct simile would be "She runs like a cheetah," directly comparing her running to the animal. Adding 'is fast' breaks the comparative structure and makes the sentence grammatically awkward.
Q7 15

Question 7: Choose the BEST option to complete the literary analysis: "In the poem, the author writes 'the stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.' This use of ___ gives the stars human qualities, making the night scene feel alive and enchanting."

Question 7 options
Personification is the figure of speech that attributes human actions or qualities to non-human things. Stars cannot literally dance, so describing them as dancing 'playfully' is personification, making the scene vivid and animated.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence contains an error in the use of a figure of speech: "The old engine coughed and spluttered — a perfect example of alliteration that brings the machine to life." Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
Describing an engine as 'coughing and spluttering' gives it human-like qualities, which is personification, not alliteration. Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words. The corrected version accurately identifies the device as personification.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts in the correct order to form a well-structured paragraph analysing a figure of speech in a literary text.

Question 9 options
  • By equating hope with something that has feathers and can fly, the poet suggests hope is fragile yet resilient.
  • This figurative comparison creates a vivid image that allows the reader to feel the lightness and persistence of hope.
  • This is an example of a metaphor, comparing hope to a bird.
  • In the opening line, the author writes, 'Hope is the thing with feathers.'

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

A literary analysis paragraph follows a clear structure: first, identify the quotation and device; second, name the specific figure of speech; third, explain how it works in context; finally, discuss the effect on the reader.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal literary essay about a novel. The author describes a character's anger by writing 'his blood boiled.' Which option is the most appropriate way to discuss this in your essay?

Question 10 options
In a formal literary essay, the writer should use academic register, name the specific figure of speech, and analyse its effect. The correct option identifies the metaphor, explains it, and discusses its impact — all in an appropriately formal tone.
Q11 15

Question 11: Which sentence uses antithesis rather than an oxymoron?

Question 11 options
Antithesis places two contrasting ideas in a balanced grammatical structure within a sentence, as in 'Speech is silver, but silence is golden.' An oxymoron combines two contradictory words into a single compressed phrase, such as 'bittersweet' or 'living dead.'
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version of the following sentence is most appropriate for an academic essay on rhetoric? "The politician's speech was packed with figurative language designed to persuade the audience."

Question 12 options
An academic essay requires formal register, precise terminology, and analytical language. The correct option uses 'employed a range of figures of speech' and 'strategically crafted to elicit an emotional response,' which is precise, formal, and analytical.
Q13 15

Question 13: All puns rely on words that sound identical (homophones); a pun cannot be based on words that merely sound similar or have multiple meanings.

Question 13 options
This is false. Puns can exploit homophones (words that sound alike), polysemy (words with multiple meanings), or even words that merely sound similar. For example, 'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana' plays on the multiple meanings of 'flies' and 'like,' not homophones.
Q14 15

Question 14: In the sentence 'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields,' why does the writer use anaphora?

Question 14 options
Anaphora — the repetition of 'we shall fight' at the beginning of successive clauses — creates a powerful rhythmic effect that builds momentum and reinforces the speaker's determination and resolve, making the message more emotionally compelling.
Q15 15

Question 15: Which is the BEST revision of this weak sentence? Original: "The sunset was nice and it had colours that were pretty and it looked good over the water."

Question 15 options
The original sentence is vague and repetitive. The improved version uses a simile ('like liquid amber') and vivid, specific imagery ('blazing oranges and crimsons spilled across the horizon') to create a far more engaging and literary description.