Allusion Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Literary Devices

Questions and Answers

Match the literary device with its definition:

Allusion = An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar Ambiguity = The multiple meanings, intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, or passage Anachronism = Placing someone or something associated with a particular historical time in the wrong time period Malapropism = The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar sounding one

Match the literary device with its example:

Epigraph = Quotation at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of its theme Aphorism = A terse statement expressing a general truth or moral principle Invective = Long, emotionally violent attack using strong abusive language Juxtaposition = Placing things side by side for the purpose of comparison

Match the literary device with its example:

Allusion = 'Don’t go down the rabbit hole!' Anachronism = 'If a novel featured in the medieval times, takes a trip to the movie theater.' Malapropism = 'I could (couldn’t) care less about the movie previews' Juxtaposition = 'Placing things side by side for the purpose of comparison'

Match the term with its definition:

Allusion = An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar Ambiguity = The multiple meanings, intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage Anachronism = Placing someone or something associated with a particular historical time in the wrong time period Malapropism = The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar sounding one Signup and view all the answers

Match the literary device with its example:

Epigraph = Quotation at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of its theme Aphorism = A terse statement expressing a general truth or moral principle Invective = A long, emotionally violent attack using strong abusive language Juxtaposition = Placing things side by side for comparison Signup and view all the answers

Match the term with its example:

Don't go down the rabbit hole! = Allusion You heard it right; Bill is running = Ambiguity If a novel set in medieval times takes a trip to the movie theater = Anachronism I could (couldn’t) care less about the movie previews = Malapropism Signup and view all the answers

Match the literary device with its example:

"There is another world, but it is in this one"—W.B.Yeats, epigraph for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie = Epigraph A penny saved is a penny earned = Aphorism You are destined to be alone for the rest of your life = Invective Placing things side by side for the purpose of comparison = Juxtaposition Signup and view all the answers

Match the following literary device with its description:

Match the literary term with its example:

Epigraph = Quotation at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of its theme Aphorism = A terse statement expressing a general truth or moral principle Invective = Long, emotionally violent attack using strong abusive language Juxtaposition = Placing things side by side for comparison Signup and view all the answers

Connect the literary device with its function:

Allusion = Indirectly referring to familiar literary text, plays, songs, historical events Ambiguity = Creating multiple meanings and leaving the reader with questions Anachronism = Placing someone or something in the wrong historical time period Malapropism = Mistaken use of words for humorous effect Signup and view all the answers

Match the following literary element with its role:

Epigraph = Suggestive quotation at the beginning of a work related to its theme Aphorism = Concise expression of a general truth or moral principle Invective = Emotionally violent attack using abusive language Juxtaposition = Placing items side by side for comparison purposes Signup and view all the answers

Associate each literary device with its impact on the reader:

Allusion = Expecting reader's familiarity with referenced text for deeper understanding Ambiguity = Leaving readers with questions and multiple interpretations Anachronism = Creating contrast by placing elements in the wrong historical period Malapropism = Providing humor through mistaken words with similar sounds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Literary Devices

Allusion: an indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
Example: "Don't go down the rabbit hole!"

Ambiguity

Multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage, often leaving the reader with questions.
Example: "You heard it right; Bill is running" - Is Bill running as an exercise or running for office?

Anachronism

A literary device that places someone or something associated with a particular historical time in the wrong time period.
Example: If a novel features medieval times and takes a trip to the movie theater.

Malapropism

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.
Example: I could (couldn't) care less about the movie previews.

Epigraph

A quotation at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of its theme.
Example: "There is another world, but it is in this one" - W.B. Yeats, epigraph for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

Aphorism

A terse statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle, often a memorable summation of the author's point.
Example: A penny saved is a penny earned.