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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Sound Devices Quiz: Test Your Literary Ear

Quick, free sound in poetry quiz. Instant results and clear explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jodi OkenquistUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art open book letters and sound waves on golden yellow background for sound devices in literature quiz

This quiz helps you spot sound devices in short lines from poems and prose and choose the correct term. Get instant feedback, simple tips, and examples to sharpen your ear. For more practice, try the literary devices quiz or a literary device worksheet, and compare forms with a prose vs poetry quiz.

Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers"?
Assonance
Consonance
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
The repetition of the initial 'P' sound in 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers' is classic alliteration. Alliteration occurs when consecutive or closely connected words share the same beginning consonant sound. This device is often used for emphasis or musical effect in poetry and prose. For more detail, see .
Which sound device is illustrated in the lines "The cat in the hat sat on the mat"?
Alliteration
Consonance
Onomatopoeia
Rhyme
The words 'cat', 'hat', and 'mat' share identical ending sounds, which is a clear example of rhyme. Rhyme occurs when two or more words have the same ending sound, often used at the ends of lines in poetry. This creates a musical or memorable quality. For further reading, see .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "The bees buzzed in the garden"?
Assonance
Onomatopoeia
Consonance
Alliteration
The word 'buzzed' imitates the actual sound that bees make, making it an example of onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is a device where words imitate natural sounds. It helps readers 'hear' the action in a vivid way. Learn more at .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plains"?
Consonance
Rhyme
Assonance
Alliteration
The repetition of the 'ai' vowel sound in 'rain,' 'Spain,' and 'plains' is an example of assonance. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It adds musicality and can affect the mood of a line. For more examples, see .
Which sound device is illustrated in the phrase: "The pitter-patter of raindrops"?
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Consonance
Assonance
The repetition of the 't' and 'r' consonant sounds in 'pitter-patter' is an example of consonance. Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in quick succession. It often appears at the middle or end of words. Read more at .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "Sally sells seashells by the seashore"?
Assonance
Onomatopoeia
Consonance
Alliteration
The repeated 's' sound at the beginning of successive words in 'Sally sells seashells by the seashore' is a classic example of alliteration. Alliteration enhances rhythm and memorability in language. It's widely used in poetry and tongue twisters. See more at .
Which sound device is illustrated by the lines "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall" and "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall"?
Assonance
Rhyme
Consonance
Onomatopoeia
The words 'wall' and 'fall' share the same ending sound, which constitutes a rhyme. Rhyme is commonly used in nursery rhymes to create musicality. It helps with memorization and listener engagement. For a deeper explanation, visit .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "The snake hissed as it slid silently"?
Sibilance
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
Consonance
The repetition of the 's' and 'sh' sounds in 'snake hissed as it slid silently' is known as sibilance. Sibilance emphasizes a hissing sound, often used to evoke quiet, stealth, or tension. It is a subcategory of alliteration focused on 's' sounds. Read more at .
Which sound device is illustrated in the phrase: "The soft, whispering wind meandered through the leaves"?
Consonance
Assonance
Euphony
Cacophony
Euphony refers to the use of smooth, pleasant-sounding words or phrases that create a harmonious effect. The choice of 'soft,' 'whispering,' and 'meandered' produces a calm and melodic tone. Writers use euphony to create soothing or lyrical passages. Learn more at .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "He grunted and groaned as the gears ground and gurgled"?
Onomatopoeia
Cacophony
Alliteration
Euphony
Cacophony involves the use of harsh, jarring sounds to create an unpleasant effect. The words 'grunted,' 'groaned,' 'ground,' and 'gurgled' produce a rough, dissonant feel. This contrasts with euphony and draws attention to discomfort or tension. For details, see .
Which sound device is illustrated by the internal rhyme in the line: "I bring fresh showers for the thirsty flowers"?
Alliteration
Consonance
Internal rhyme
End rhyme
Internal rhyme occurs when words within the same line rhyme, as with 'showers' and 'flowers' here. It adds musicality and can speed up or slow down the reader's experience. This differs from end rhyme, which appears at the ends of lines. More info at .
Which device is illustrated by the words 'moon' and 'June'?
Feminine rhyme
Slant rhyme
Eye rhyme
Masculine rhyme
Masculine rhyme is a rhyme on a single stressed syllable, as seen in 'moon' and 'June.' It's the most common rhyme type in English poetry. Feminine rhymes involve an extra unstressed syllable. For more, see .
Which device is illustrated by the words 'weather' and 'heather'?
Eye rhyme
Masculine rhyme
Slant rhyme
Feminine rhyme
Feminine rhyme involves two syllables, where the first is stressed and the second unstressed, as in 'wea-ther' and 'hea-ther.' It adds a softer, more flowing effect. Masculine rhymes only use one stressed syllable. Learn more at .
Which device is illustrated by the words 'worm' and 'swarm'?
Slant rhyme
Eye rhyme
Masculine rhyme
Feminine rhyme
Slant rhyme, or half rhyme, occurs when consonants match but vowels differ slightly, as with 'worm' and 'swarm.' It creates a subtler echo than perfect rhyme. Poets often use slant rhyme to maintain flow while avoiding predictability. Details at .
Which sound device is illustrated in the sentence: "The bacon sizzled in the pan"?
Onomatopoeia
Assonance
Alliteration
Consonance
The word 'sizzled' mimics the actual hissing sound of cooking bacon, making it an example of onomatopoeia. This device helps readers hear the action. It's common in descriptive passages to enhance sensory detail. See for more.
Which device is illustrated by the pairing of the words 'hat' and 'hut'?
Alliteration
Pararhyme
Consonance
Assonance
Pararhyme occurs when the consonant framework of words matches but the vowel sounds differ, as with 'hat' and 'hut.' Wilfred Owen used this device to create unsettling echoes in poetry. It's sometimes called consonant rhyme. Learn more at .
What is the meter of the line: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Anapestic trimeter
Trochaic tetrameter
Dactylic hexameter
Iambic pentameter
This line is written in iambic pentameter, consisting of five iambs (unstressed-stressed syllable pairs). Shakespeare frequently used this meter in his sonnets and plays. It mirrors natural speech rhythms in English. For more, see .
What is the meter of the line: "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house"?
Iambic pentameter
Trochaic tetrameter
Anapestic tetrameter
Dactylic pentameter
This line uses anapestic tetrameter, featuring four anapestic feet (two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed). It creates a galloping rhythm that suits the lively narrative. For more details, see .
Which poetic foot is illustrated by the word 'heartbreak'?
Spondee
Trochee
Iamb
Dactyl
'Heartbreak' is a spondee because it consists of two equally stressed syllables. Spondees often add emphasis or weight to a phrase. They contrast with iambs or trochees, which have alternating stress patterns. Learn more at .
What is the meter of the line: "Tyger! Tyger! burning bright"?
Iambic pentameter
Trochaic tetrameter
Dactylic hexameter
Anapestic trimeter
William Blake's line uses trochaic tetrameter, starting with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one, repeated four times. The trochaic rhythm gives the poem a driving, insistent quality. More on this meter at .
Which device is found in the words 'love' and 'move', which look like they should rhyme but do not?
Slant rhyme
Eye rhyme
Masculine rhyme
Homonym
An eye rhyme occurs when words appear to rhyme based on spelling but have different sounds, as with 'love' and 'move.' It's also called visual rhyme. This plays with readers' expectations. See .
Which device is illustrated by the words 'raise' and 'rays' that sound identical but have different meanings?
Consonance
Assonance
Eye rhyme
Rich rhyme
Rich rhyme uses words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings or spellings, like 'raise' and 'rays.' It can create puns or deepen thematic connections. For more, visit .
Which poetic foot is illustrated by the word 'beautiful'?
Trochee
Dactyl
Anapest
Iamb
'Beautiful' (BEAU-ti-ful) is a dactyl because it follows a stressed-unstressed-unstressed pattern. Dactyls are often used to speed up the rhythm or add a lyrical quality. Learn more at .
Which sound device refers to the musical or melodic quality of language, focusing on the effect produced by the sounds themselves rather than meaning?
Melopoeia
Pararhyme
Euphony
Cacophony
Melopoeia is the term for the poetic technique where the sounds of words are used purely for their musical effect, apart from meaning. It emphasizes tone, mood, and auditory aesthetic. While euphony and cacophony also deal with sound, they describe pleasing or harsh sounds specifically. More at .
The initial 'gl-' in words like 'gleam', 'glisten', and 'glow' represents which sound phenomenon?
Alliteration
Consonance
Phonaestheme
Onomatopoeia
A phonaestheme is a sound cluster that appears in multiple words sharing similar meanings, like 'gl-' in 'gleam,' 'glisten,' and 'glow.' It differs from alliteration because it reflects an unconscious pattern linked to meaning. For more, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Sound Devices Examples -

    Recognize various sound devices examples - onomatopoeia, alliteration, and rhyme - within famous passages.

  2. Analyze Sound Devices in Literature -

    Examine how sound devices in literature, such as assonance and consonance, shape tone and reinforce thematic elements.

  3. Differentiate Between Sound Device Types -

    Distinguish among examples of sound devices by comparing their characteristics, from onomatopoeia to alliterative patterns.

  4. Apply Identification Skills -

    Pinpoint and identify the sound in new excerpts, applying quiz-tested strategies to spot devices quickly and accurately.

  5. Evaluate the Effectiveness of Sound Devices -

    Assess the impact of each sound device in enhancing mood, pacing, and poetic style across different literary genres.

  6. Deepen Appreciation of Poetic Technique -

    Develop an informed perspective on how writers harness sound devices for greater reader engagement and aesthetic effect.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Alliteration -

    Alliteration is a cornerstone of sound devices in literature, created by repeating initial consonant sounds in nearby words for emphasis and rhythm. For example, "She sells sea shells" uses the "s" sound to build a musical effect. As the Purdue OWL notes, spotting alliteration helps you identify the sound patterns that give poetry its pulse.

  2. Assonance -

    Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words, crafting an internal echo that enriches mood and tone. When you identify the sound, look for lines like Edgar Allan Poe's "And the silken sad uncertain rustling," where the "u" sound ripples through the phrase. A handy mnemonic is "Vowel Vibes" to recall that assonance vibrates with vowel repetition.

  3. Consonance -

    Consonance repeats consonant sounds at the end or middle of words, distinct from alliteration by its placement. An example of sound devices highlighting consonance is "The lumpy, bumpy road" where the "mp" sound unites the words. According to the MLA Handbook, recognizing consonance deepens your grasp of a text's sonic texture.

  4. Onomatopoeia -

    Onomatopoeia brings written language to life by using words that imitate real-world sounds, such as "buzz," "clang," or "hiss." This example of sound devices creates an immersive sensory experience, making readers "hear" the action. The British Council recommends listening for these auditory cues when you take quizzes on sound devices.

  5. Rhyme Patterns -

    Rhyme extends beyond end rhymes to include internal rhyme and slant rhyme, all powerful sound devices examples that shape a poem's flow. For instance, Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" features an AABA scheme that plays with expectation and surprise. Use the "EIS" mnemonic - End, Internal, Slant - to remember the three main rhyme types.

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