Figures of Speech Test | PDF | Lexical Semantics | Semiotics - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one, carefully and simply.

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Question 1:
> ‘Out in the porch's sagging floor, Leaves got up in a coil and hissed, Blindly struck at my knee and missed.’

We’re looking for a figure of speech here. The leaves are described as “got up,” “hissed,” and “struck” — these are actions that living things (like snakes or people) do. But leaves aren’t alive in that way. So this is giving human or animal qualities to something non-human → personification.

Wait — but personification isn’t an option! Let’s check the options again:

- simile → uses “like” or “as” → not here
- metaphor → direct comparison without “like/as” → maybe? But it’s more about action than comparison
- irony → opposite of what’s expected → doesn’t fit
- hyperbole → exaggeration → not really

Hmm… actually, “leaves... hissed” and “struck at my knee” — this is treating leaves like they’re alive and aggressive. That’s personification, but it’s not listed. Wait — did I misread?

Looking back: Options are simile, metaphor, irony, hyperbole.

Actually, “leaves got up in a coil and hissed” — comparing leaves to a snake? Without using “like” or “as”? That would be a metaphor.

Yes — if you say “the leaves hissed like snakes,” that’s a simile. But saying “leaves hissed” directly implies they *are* acting like snakes — so it’s a metaphor.

Also, “blindly struck” — again, leaves don’t have intent. So it’s metaphorical language.

✔ Best answer: metaphor

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Question 2:
> George Bush talked during his campaign about 'compassionate conservatism', which to many liberals sounds like a(n) ____________.

“Compassionate conservatism” — combining two ideas that seem opposite: compassion (kindness, care) and conservatism (often associated with strict rules, limited government help). When you put two contradictory words together, it’s called an oxymoron.

Examples: “jumbo shrimp”, “deafening silence”.

So yes — “compassionate conservatism” feels contradictory to some → oxymoron

✔ Answer: oxymoron

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Question 3:
> ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’

This phrase gives “necessity” a human role — being a “mother”. Necessity isn’t a person, but we’re treating it like one who gives birth to inventions.

That’s personification — giving human traits to abstract ideas.

Check options:
- litotes → understatement (e.g., “not bad” meaning good) → no
- personification → YES
- oxymoron → contradictory terms → no
- paradox → seems false but might be true → not quite

✔ Answer: personification

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Question 4:
> ‘The poor people of Ireland should rid themselves of poverty by selling their children to the rich to eat.’

This is from Jonathan Swift’s satire “A Modest Proposal.” He’s NOT serious — he’s suggesting something horrible to show how bad the situation is. It’s meant to shock and highlight injustice.

This is irony — especially satirical irony. Saying something outrageous to make a point.

Options:
- paradox → self-contradictory statement → not exactly
- irony → YES — saying the opposite of what’s meant, or using sarcasm/satire
- logorrhea → excessive wordiness → irrelevant
- neologism → new word → no

✔ Answer: irony

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Question 5:
> The phrases ‘the humming bee’, ‘the cackling hen’, and ‘the buzzing saw’ are examples of ____________.

These all use words that imitate sounds: “humming”, “cackling”, “buzzing”.

That’s onomatopoeia — words that sound like what they describe.

Examples: “buzz”, “crash”, “meow”.

Check options:
- spoonerisms → swapping sounds (e.g., “blushing crow” instead of “crushing blow”) → no
- personification → giving human traits → no
- onomatopoeia → YES
- metonymy → using part to represent whole (e.g., “Hollywood” for movies) → no

✔ Answer: onomatopoeia

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Final Answer:
1. metaphor
2. oxymoron
3. personification
4. irony
5. onomatopoeia