Language Features

Question 1

Simile

Answer 1

A comparison between two objects using like or as.

Example: As cold as ice

Question 2

Personification

Answer 2

Describing animals or objects in human terms.

Example: The chair groaned when the large lady sat on it

Question 3

Onomatopoeia

Answer 3

Can be used to intensify the atmosphere and sustain imagery. Words that mimic sounds.
Examples: Crack, splash, hiss, woosh

Question 4

Pun

Answer 4

A play on words with similar sounds.

Example: A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat

Question 5

Assonance

Answer 5

Is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is used to reinforce the meanings of words.
Example: I made my way to the lake

Question 6

Alliteration

Answer 6

Repetition of the initial sound of the words.

Example: Sydney’s slippery slide

Question 7

Metaphor

Answer 7

One thing is said to be another to invite comparison. Does not use like or as.
Example: He’s a rough diamond

Question 8

Rhetorical question

Answer 8

A question asked to prove a point, or for dramatic effect, rather than to get an answer. It is often used to make the audience think or be persuaded on an issue.
Example: Isn’t it better for schools to provide lunch than for students to go hungry?

Question 9

Hyberbole

Answer 9

An exaggeration or overstatement to imply something is better or worse than it actually is
Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse

Question 10

Anecdote

Answer 10

A short account of an interesting or entertaining story to make a point.
Example: When I was in Year 9, my friends and I…

Question 11

Listing

Answer 11

Three or more objects, reasons, etc are listed together for emphasis or to provide information. They are usually separated by commas.
Example: He packed his hat, sunscreen and towel for his trip to the beach.

Question 12

Repetition

Answer 12

The reuse of words or phrases for effect

Example: We cannot imagine the horrors they face; cannot imagine the strength of their spirit

Question 13

Imperative statements

Answer 13

An instruction or command, often expressed with urgency. Sometimes ends with an exclamation mark.
Example: Tidy your room right now!

Question 14

Imagery

Answer 14

Descriptive language that usually appeals to the five senses to create a picture in the readers mind.
Example: It was dark and dim in the forest.

Question 15

Cliché

Answer 15

Overused phrase or expression

Example: A gold medal performance

Question 16

Statistics

Answer 16

The collection, organization and interpretation of numerical data. Sometimes used in writing to provide factual evidence.
Example: 85% of students need to study harder for their exams.

Question 17

Direct speech

Answer 17

The reporting of speech by quoting or stating the actual words a person has said. Often used in news articles to provide evidence.
Example: The English teacher told us “You must learn your language features!”

Question 18

Emotive language

Answer 18

Emotive language used to influence the reader’s emotions in some way. It may be used to make the reader feel emotions such as anger, joy or sympathy about a particular person or situation. Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs are important here.
Example: The knife ripped through his battered body.

Question 19

Allusion

Answer 19

An indirect reference to a well-known person, place or aspect of culture that an audience or reader is likely to recognise.
Example: He was a real Romeo with the ladies.

Question 20

Jargon

Answer 20

Special words or expressions used by a particular group that are difficult for others to understand. Usually associated with a subject, occupation or business.
Example: We are trialling a blended e-learning approach to classroom assessment.

Question 21

Sibilance

Answer 21

Sibilance is a more specific type of alliteration that relies on the repetition of soft consonant sounds in words to create a whooshing or hissing sound in the writing. Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

Question 22

Rhyme

Answer 22

Correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
Example: Poetic features such as rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration.

Question 23

Rhythm

Answer 23

A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound.

Question 24

Euphemism

Answer 24

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Question 25

Connotations

Answer 25

An idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

Question 26

Colloquial language

Answer 26

Refers to words or expressions used in ordinary language by common people.

Question 27

Juxtaposition

Answer 27

The deliberate placing of two things side-by-side for comparison or contrast.
Example: In the classroom, Susan sat upright, eyes wide open, ears at the ready. Sally was asleep at her desk.

Question 28

Oxymoron

Answer 28

A figure of speech where contradictory terms are joined to create an effect. Usually reveals a tension between these terms, or a conflict in the speaker.
Example: An honest thief, being cruel to be kind, seriously funny