Review: Literary Devices

The following items are very similar to what you’ll see on the final literary devices exam.

Tough

As the sun went down in Terrance town
Derek placed his chin on the cold cement
To rest his eyes on the corner two blocks down
And the boys as tall as lamp posts
Chasing a basketball—dribbling
His heart jumped a leap
Once, even hit the basket
His eyes knew the moves
They jumped on every alley oop
And knees jerked and bent on each pass
kicking the crutches to the floor
Derek won a home game in his heart
1. / The lines "The boys as tall as lamp posts / Chasing a basketball—dribbling" contain an example of
/ A. / metaphor.
/ B. / irony.
/ C. / personification.
/ D. / hyperbole.

"Why are you staring at the mirror?" asked Rangoni as he entered his twin sister Marey's room. She frowned in annoyance as he plopped down on her bed and started thumbing through her comic books.
"I am considering whether or not to get a haircut," Marey replied.
"Are you crazy?" Rangoni asked. "You have been growing out your hair since you were three. I thought you loved having long hair."
"I do love it," agreed Marey. "However, we are in a new state, in a new school, and in a new house. Everything is changing, so I might as well change, too." Rangoni stared thoughtfully out the window.
"I know how you feel," he said. "I am worried about fitting in at our new school. I thought I might sell my motorcycle and buy a used car. What if I am the only student at school with a motorcycle? I don't want to feel out of place."
"That is a ridiculous plan," exclaimed Marey. "You love your motorcycle more than anything! Uncle Vanya left it to you, and I know it has sentimental value. Who cares if none of your new friends have motorcycles? You don't have to throw away the past to embrace the future."
"I guess you're right," Rangoni admitted. "I suppose you'll keep your long hair, then?" Marey laughed and tugged on her long ponytail.
"Maybe I will, or maybe I won't," she told her brother. "I've always been better at giving advice than taking it."

2. Which statement from the story best
demonstrates the passage's theme?
/ A. / "You don't have to throw away the past to embrace the future."
/ B. / "I've always been better at giving advice than taking it."
/ C. / "You love your motorcycle more than anything!"
/ D. / "You have been growing out your hair since you were three."

Kevin walked through the animal shelter with his son, stopping every minute or so to read a dog’s story to him.
“They all look so sad, Daddy! I wish we could take them all!” Ryan exclaimed.
“I know, son, but at least we’re able to take one out of here.”
Something caught Ryan’s eye, and he rushed over to a kennel at the end. “Daddy, look! A Dalmatian—just like in the movie!”
Kevin shuddered as he spotted the Dalmatian. All of a sudden he was 8 years old again.
His friend, Paul, had invited him over to play with his Dalmatian.
“Cool! You’re so lucky! My parents won’t let me have a dog,” he remembered saying.
“He can play fetch, too! Watch!” Paul said as he raised the ball high. Domino’s eyes never left the ball. As soon as the ball left Paul’s fingertips, Domino was off sprinting after it. Catching it in mid-air, he then ran back to his young owner for another turn.
“Let me try!” Kevin took the ball from Paul and waved the ball in front of Domino’s face. He pretended to throw it and then drew his hand back toward his face.
Domino leapt forward but soon realized that the ball had never left the kid’s hands. He looked back and forth several times as Kevin continued to tease him and laugh with glee. Finally, Domino couldn’t wait any longer. He leapt at the ball in Kevin’s hand, but missed. Instead, his teeth scraped Kevin’s chin.
“Daddy?! Hello?! Can we take home the Dalmatian?” Ryan was jumping and waving his arms.
Rubbing the scar on his chin, Kevin snapped out of it. No way was he going to let his child have a Dalmatian.

4. / The author includes a flashback in the story to show


/ A. / why Kevin is at the animal shelter with his son.
/ B. / why Kevin is opposed to getting a Dalmatian.
/ C. / why Kevin does not want his son to have a dog.
/ D. / why Kevin does not speak to his old friend Paul.

For the following sentences, identify whether the metaphor being used is an Extended Metaphor, Implied Metaphor, or a Mixed Metaphor.

  1. The opponents were in the crosshairs, they had no chance in hell, they were swimming upstream, and they were doomed from the gate. ______
  1. The runner zoomed by his opponents, accelerated through his final lap, screeched around the last turn, and pumped is brakes after the finish to avoid the oncoming crowd. ______
  1. This class is a zoo. The lions attempt to rule the room, the hyenas agitate those that surround them, the sloth sit without moving or functioning, the noble giraffes tower over all, and the zookeeper wonders if he’s chosen the right career. ______
  1. His education was his temple, it was his source of dignity, it was his torch in the darkened world, it was his light at the end of the tunnel, it was his stockpile of strength, it was his life. ______
  1. Her eyes twinkled, shone, and shot across his mind. ______