Language & Literature

Figures of Speech Quiz: Identify Metaphor, Simile, and More

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This figures of speech quiz helps you identify metaphors, similes, personification, and more in short examples with instant feedback. For extra practice, try metaphor and simile practice or take a quick simile or metaphor quiz. Want a broader check-up? Challenge yourself with a literary devices test.

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1Which of the following is a simile?
2Identify the metaphor in the following options.
3Which sentence features personification?
4Choose the example of hyperbole.
5Which phrase is an example of alliteration?
6Identify the example of onomatopoeia.
7Which of these is an oxymoron?
8What figure of speech is used in [@U201C]Her smile was a ray of sunshine[@U201D]?
9Which sentence is an example of personification?
10What figure of speech appears in [@U201C]The homework was a breeze[@U201D]?
11Which option contains an idiom?
12Identify the anaphora in the following examples.
13Which example illustrates litotes?
14Which phrase is an example of synecdoche?
15What figure of speech is used in [@U201C]The White House issued a statement[@U201D]?
16Identify the chiasmus in the following sentences.
17Which sentence exemplifies antithesis?
18Which example illustrates apostrophe?
19Which sentence uses a euphemism?
20Identify the zeugma in the following example.
21Which phrase is an anadiplosis?
22Identify the polysyndeton in the following sentence.
23Which example demonstrates asyndeton?
24Which sentence illustrates epanalepsis?
25Identify the syllepsis in this sentence.
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Figures of Speech -

    Recognize key figures of speech examples with answers, including metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole.

  2. Differentiate Literary Devices -

    Distinguish between types of figures of speech by comparing their definitions and usage in context.

  3. Analyze Contextual Usage -

    Examine how each figure of speech enhances meaning and tone within sentences and passages.

  4. Apply Knowledge in Quizzes -

    Engage with this figures of speech quiz to test your understanding and reinforce correct identification under timed conditions.

  5. Enhance Language Mastery -

    Build confidence in using and interpreting figures of speech, boosting both your analytical and creative writing skills.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Metaphor vs. Simile Mastery -

    Metaphors state a direct comparison between two unlike things (e.g., "Time is a thief"), while similes use "like" or "as" ("Time is like a river"). To remember, use the S&S trick: "Simile Says 'See similarity'" and look for "like" or "as." According to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, spotting these in figures of speech examples with answers sharpens your interpretive skills.

  2. Personification for Vivid Imagery -

    Personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects or ideas, such as "The wind whispered through the trees." Ask yourself, "Could this nonhuman subject actually perform this action?" The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms notes that this device brings scenarios to life and boosts reader engagement in any figures of speech quiz.

  3. Hyperbole: Exaggeration with Impact -

    Hyperbole is deliberate overstatement used for emphasis, like "I'm so hungry I could devour an entire ocean." Spot it by the scale: if the claim is wildly unrealistic, it's hyperbole. The British Council highlights that understanding this in figure of speech examples helps you distinguish fact from fancy.

  4. Onomatopoeia: Sound in Words -

    Onomatopoeia uses words that mimic actual sounds - think "buzz," "clang," or "sizzle." A quick tip: say the word aloud and listen for the aural echo. Merriam-Webster confirms this device adds sensory depth, making it a favorite in both poetry and everyday figures of speech quizzes.

  5. Mnemonic for 9 Key Devices -

    Memorize "Mighty Smart Poets Might Hate Odd Alliterations, Onomatopoeias, Understatements!" to recall Metaphor, Simile, Personification, Metonymy, Hyperbole, Oxymoron, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia, and Understatement. Create flashcards with one device per card to quiz yourself with examples and answers. LiteraryDevices.net recommends active recall via mnemonics to lock in each type of figure of speech.

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Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 24, 2026