Identify the figure of speech used in the following sentences.
1The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree.
Wrong!
The phrase "as the palm tree" makes a direct comparison, so the answer is "Simile".
2Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale.
Wrong!
The pattern "as tedious as" makes a direct comparison, so the answer is "Simile".
3The camel is the ship of the desert.
Wrong!
The camel is directly called "the ship of the desert", so the answer is "Metaphor".
4Variety is the spice of life.
Wrong!
Variety is directly called "the spice of life", so the answer is "Metaphor".
5Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay.
Wrong!
Pride is given human behavior, so the answer is "Personification".
6O Solitude! Where are the charms that sages have seen in thy face?
Wrong!
The speaker directly addresses solitude, so the answer is "Apostrophe".
7Death lays his icy hands on kings.
Wrong!
Death is given human hands and actions, so the answer is "Personification".
8Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears.
Wrong!
The claim about filling a river with tears is extreme exaggeration, so the answer is "Hyperbole".
9O Hamlet! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
Wrong!
The phrase "cleft my heart in twain" is extreme exaggeration, so the answer is "Hyperbole".
10Man proposes, God disposes.
Wrong!
The balanced contrast between human intention and divine action makes the answer "Antithesis".
11Many are called, but few are chosen.
Wrong!
The contrast between "many" and "few" makes the answer "Antithesis".
12Here is the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
Wrong!
The claim about all the perfumes of Arabia is extreme exaggeration, so the answer is "Hyperbole".
Answers
- The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree. — Simile
- Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale. — Simile
- The camel is the ship of the desert. — Metaphor
- Variety is the spice of life. — Metaphor
- Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay. — Personification
- O Solitude! Where are the charms that sages have seen in thy face? — Apostrophe
- Death lays his icy hands on kings. — Personification
- Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears. — Hyperbole
- O Hamlet! Thou hast cleft my heart in twain. — Hyperbole
- Man proposes, God disposes. — Antithesis
- Many are called, but few are chosen. — Antithesis
- Here is the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. — Hyperbole
