Literary Devices Quiz: Spot Metaphors, Similes, and Symbolism
Quick, free literary devices test-15 questions, instant results.
Editorial: Review CompletedUpdated Aug 27, 2025
This literary devices quiz helps you practice spotting metaphors, similes, and symbolism in 15 quick multiple-choice questions, with instant results to guide your study. Use it to check what you know, see common mistakes, and build stronger reading analysis. When you finish, explore the rhetorical devices quiz or dive into the figures of speech quiz.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify common literary devices in a variety of texts
- Analyse examples of metaphor, simile, and symbolism
- Explain the impact of irony and allusion in literature
- Apply literary terms to interpret complex passages
- Evaluate the effectiveness of rhetorical techniques
Cheat Sheet
- Understand Metaphors and Similes - Metaphors and similes let you paint vivid pictures in readers' minds by comparing ideas in creative ways. A metaphor boldly states one thing is another, while a simile uses "like" or "as" to draw a playful comparison. Spotting these devices can unlock hidden meanings and add sparkle to your literary analysis.
- Identify Symbolism - Symbols are like secret codes in stories that hint at even deeper meanings beneath the surface. From a white dove representing peace to a storm symbolizing chaos, recognizing symbols helps you decode themes and author intent. Master this skill and you'll feel like a literary detective uncovering hidden treasure.
- Analyze Irony - Irony injects playful twists by contrasting what you expect with what actually happens. Whether it's verbal irony (sarcastic remarks), situational irony (unexpected outcomes), or dramatic irony (the audience knows more than the characters), spotting irony deepens your appreciation for clever storytelling. Get ready to chuckle, gasp, and admire the author's craft.
- Recognize Allusions - Allusions are indirect nods to famous works, events, or myths that enrich a story's context. Catching a reference to Shakespeare or Greek mythology brings extra layers of meaning and connects you to a broader literary conversation. Think of it as joining a global book club where every reference counts.
- Explore Personification - Personification breathes life into objects or ideas by giving them human traits, like "the wind whispered secrets." This device makes descriptions leap off the page and sparks your imagination. Next time you read, listen for inanimate characters quietly telling their own stories.
- Examine Hyperbole - Hyperbole is all about over-the-top exaggeration, like "I've told you a million times!" It's a clever tool authors use to amplify emotions, highlight humor, or stress a point. Once you spot hyperbole, you'll never read complaints or praises the same way again.
- Understand Imagery - Imagery paints mental pictures by appealing to your five senses - think "the tangy aroma of oranges" or "the silky rustle of silk." Analyzing imagery helps you feel the mood and grasp the tone of a passage. It's like wearing sensory goggles that make reading more vivid and immersive.
- Recognize Alliteration - Alliteration is the catchy repetition of initial sounds, as in "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." This musical device adds rhythm, emphasis, and memorability to writing. Practice finding alliteration and you'll soon notice a secret beat in your favorite poems and prose.
- Identify Oxymorons - An oxymoron pairs contradictory terms - think "deafening silence" or "bittersweet victory" - to capture complex ideas in a nutshell. Spotting oxymorons reveals layers of meaning and emotional nuance in a text. They're like tiny puzzles that make you pause and ponder deeper.
- Analyze Juxtaposition - Juxtaposition places contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences or build tension, such as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This technique can clarify themes, character dynamics, and emotional impact. Master juxtaposition and you'll unlock a powerful tool for spotting the heart of any story.
