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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Master the Oxymoron Quiz: Take the Ultimate Literary Challenge!

Ready for a Literary Trivia Quiz? Spot Oxymoron Examples & Boost Your Wordplay!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper cutout letters spelling Oxymoron Quiz among paper literary device shapes on teal background

This oxymoron quiz helps you spot clever contradictions in phrases and sharpen your literary wit. You'll pick the right examples, see where you slip, and learn a quick tip or two - think bittersweet or open secret. Want a change of pace? Try our short story quiz next.

Which of the following best defines an oxymoron?
A poetic device that gives human traits to nonhuman things
A comparison using 'like' or 'as'
An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally
A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms
An oxymoron pairs two opposite or contradictory terms to create a unique expression that often reveals an ironic truth or deeper meaning. It's distinct from similes or metaphors because it fuses contradictory words directly. You see this in phrases like "deafening silence" or "bittersweet." For more information, see .
The phrase "deafening silence" is an example of what literary device?
Metaphor
Oxymoron
Simile
Hyperbole
"Deafening silence" puts together two opposite ideas - silence and loud sound - to highlight the intensity of quiet. This direct juxtaposition of contradictory terms is the hallmark of an oxymoron. It is neither a simile nor a metaphor, as it doesn't compare using like or as. Learn more at .
Which of the following phrases is an oxymoron?
heavy weight
bittersweet
fast runner
open door
"Bittersweet" combines the opposing tastes of bitter and sweet to convey mixed emotions. The other phrases pair words that don't contradict each other directly. Recognizing that contradiction in one phrase but not in the others is key to spotting oxymorons. For more examples, see .
Which of the following is NOT an oxymoron?
green apple
old news
original copy
pretty ugly
"Green apple" is a literal description without contradictory meaning. The other options - "pretty ugly," "old news," and "original copy" - all combine opposing ideas and thus function as oxymorons. This makes "green apple" the only non-oxymoron choice. Read more at .
Which of these phrases is an example of an oxymoron referring to something widely known but supposedly secret?
strictly casual
virtual reality
open secret
bittersweet
An "open secret" is something that everyone knows but is officially kept under wraps, combining the ideas of openness and secrecy. This contradiction in terms makes it an oxymoron. The other phrases don't carry that same built-in contradiction. For more context, see .
Why is the phrase "act naturally" considered an oxymoron?
It merges love and hatred
It pairs planned action with spontaneity
It combines motion and stillness
It links loudness with silence
"Act naturally" combines the intentional act of performing with the idea of being spontaneous and unplanned. This direct opposition highlights the nature of oxymorons. The other options don't capture this specific contradiction. More examples can be found at .
In which phrase does the literary device oxymoron appear?
living dead
towering inferno
raging fire
skin as white as snow
"Living dead" places life and death side by side, creating a contradictory image that is characteristic of an oxymoron. The other phrases don't pair contradictory concepts in the same way. Identifying the clash of opposites is key. Visit for more examples.
Choose the oxymoron from the following list:
cold fire
silent scream
dark light
endless pause
"Silent scream" fuses silence and loudness - two opposing ideas - into one phrase. The other options suggest odd combinations but don't pair direct opposites in common usage. Recognizing this opposition is what makes "silent scream" an oxymoron. See more at .
Which sentence contains an oxymoron?
It was a bittersweet victory that left players with mixed emotions.
The committee reached a unanimous decision after long debate.
She whispered loudly so everyone could hear her secret.
His explanation was clear and concise.
"Whispered loudly" directly contradicts the quiet nature of a whisper with the volume implied by "loudly." That clash of terms is the hallmark of an oxymoron. The other sentences either don't pair opposites or the phrase "bittersweet" is an oxymoron but not phrased as a sentence-level device here. Learn more at .
Which of the following oxymorons best describes a scenario where disorder is effectively managed?
organized chaos
perfect miss
living dead
true fiction
"Organized chaos" combines the ideas of order ("organized") and disorder ("chaos") to convey a situation that seems disordered but functions smoothly. The other options don't capture that same direct opposition. This phrase is commonly used to describe creative or busy environments. For more on oxymorons, see .
Why is the term "virtual reality" considered an oxymoron?
It describes a scenario both impossible and real
It indicates a completely virtual environment
It pairs something existing only in essence with the claim of actual reality
It refers to a computer programming language
"Virtual" suggests something that isn't physically real, while "reality" denotes the actual world, making their combination inherently contradictory. This direct opposition of terms defines it as an oxymoron. The other choices don't explain this core contradiction. Read more at .
Which of these Shakespearean phrases is an oxymoron?
brave new world
cold comfort
green-eyed monster
fair play
In Shakespeare's plays, "cold comfort" appears in contexts where relief is offered but feels insufficient, pairing 'cold' (unpleasant) with 'comfort' (soothing). The other phrases don't fuse direct opposites in the same way. Recognizing its Shakespearean origin also helps. For more, see .
In John Milton's Paradise Lost, which oxymoronic phrase describes Hell?
eternal mortal
darkness visible
joyful pain
false light
Milton writes of "darkness visible" to capture the paradox of seeing visible darkness in Hell - an inversion of normal sensory experience. This phrase is a classic example of literary oxymoron in epic poetry. The other options aren't found in Paradise Lost in the same iconic sense. Read the source at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Oxymorons -

    Recognize and list classic and clever oxymoron examples presented in this oxymoron quiz to sharpen your literary device recognition skills.

  2. Analyze Literary Impact -

    Examine how oxymorons function within texts, exploring their role in humor, emphasis, and nuanced meaning as part of our literary trivia quiz.

  3. Differentiate Effective Usage -

    Distinguish between organic and awkward oxymoron constructions by comparing various examples, enhancing your critical eye for wordplay.

  4. Apply in Creative Writing -

    Use insights from the creative writing devices quiz to incorporate oxymorons effectively into your own writing projects for greater stylistic flair.

  5. Evaluate Your Wit -

    Gauge your mastery of literary devices through timed challenges in our oxymoron examples quiz, building confidence in your wordplay abilities.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Oxymorons -

    In literary terms, an oxymoron combines two opposite ideas (like "bittersweet") to craft a memorable image, as documented by the Oxford English Dictionary. Recall the Greek roots oxys ("sharp") + moros ("dull") to cement the contrast in your mind. Mastering this definition is your first step toward acing any oxymoron quiz.

  2. Distinguishing Oxymorons from Paradoxes -

    While both play on contradiction, an oxymoron joins words side by side ("deafening silence"), whereas a paradox is a self-contradictory statement ("I know that I know nothing"), per Purdue OWL guidelines. Spotting this difference will sharpen your literary devices trivia skills. Use this tip to avoid mixing up similar creative twists in your next quiz.

  3. Iconic Oxymoron Examples to Remember -

    Memorize classics like "open secret," "living dead," and "virtual reality," drawing from lists on the Poetry Foundation website. Group these examples by theme - emotional, spatial, or social - to streamline recall during an oxymoron examples quiz. This categorization trick helps you breeze through rapid-fire questions.

  4. Creative Writing Applications -

    Writers use oxymorons to add depth to dialogue and imagery, as advised by most university writing centers. Try weaving a quick "silent scream" or "controlled chaos" into your next story to practice the device. This exercise doubles as a mini creative writing devices quiz and boosts both skill and confidence.

  5. Top Tips for Quiz Success -

    Approach each question by first scanning for opposing meanings - this mental checklist is a powerful mnemonic for any literary trivia quiz. Time yourself on practice sets from reputable sources like university libraries to simulate real quiz conditions. Combining these strategies ensures you'll feel ready and confident when tackling an oxymoron quiz.

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