Chiasmus, zeugma, metonymy and other named devices

Grade 11 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   From an invented speech at a town's reopened pool

   “We will swim in the morning, we will swim at noon, and we will swim until the lifeguards whistle us home.”

2. 1.

   Ari is labeling the device and its effect in the frame. Which label and effect fit the sentence?

   • Anaphora: the repeated “we will swim” builds a rising, joyful promise.
   • Anaphora: the repeated “we will swim” slows the speech to show the town's doubt.
   • Epistrophe: the repeated word at the end of each clause stresses swimming itself.
   • Asyndeton: leaving out “and” makes the day sound rushed and breathless.
3. 2.

   Four sentences from an invented library newsletter. Luz needs an example of zeugma for a class handout. Which sentence uses zeugma?

   • The new librarian opened the doors at nine and, by noon, the town's eyes to what a library could be.
   • Open the doors, open the shelves, open the reading room to the town.
   • The new librarian opened the doors at nine and the windows at noon.
   • The front desk answered our questions about the new hours before we asked them.

4. Use this

   An invented principal wants the last line of a graduation speech to stick in listeners' minds by turning one idea around. Plain line: You should keep learning after school ends.

5. 3.

   Tala is choosing a closing line for the principal. Which version uses the device that turns the idea around?

   • School taught you to learn; now let learning be your school.
   • School taught you to learn; now let learning teach you more.
   • Keep learning, keep reading, keep asking, long after school ends.
   • After you graduate, please make sure that you keep on learning.
6. 4.

   “Flour flew, ovens roared, bells rang, customers waited.” Jun is labeling the device and its effect in the frame. Which label and effect fit the sentence?

   • Asyndeton: with no “and” between the clauses, the morning feels calm and orderly.
   • Anaphora: each clause opens with the same word to show the bakery's routine.
   • Asyndeton: with no “and” between the clauses, the morning feels fast and crowded.
   • Polysyndeton: the repeated “and” makes each task feel heavy and slow.
7. 5.

   Four sentences from an invented trail crew's newsletter. Pia needs an example of synecdoche for a class handout. Which sentence uses synecdoche?

   • The trail crew heard from the Ranger Station that the north path will close.
   • The trail crew needs a dozen more strong backs before the snow comes.
   • The trail crew needs twelve more volunteers before the snow comes.
   • Trail, stay open until the snow comes; we have work to finish.

8. Use this

   An invented writer wants a sentence about moving day to make the chores feel endless. Plain line: We packed boxes, carried them, cleaned the rooms and returned the keys.

9. 6.

   Bo is choosing a version for the writer. Which version uses the device that makes the chores feel endless?

   • We packed boxes and carried them and cleaned the rooms and returned the keys.
   • We packed boxes, and carried them, cleaned the rooms, returned the keys that day.
   • We packed boxes, carried them, cleaned the rooms and returned the keys.
   • Packed, carried, cleaned, returned: moving day was done.
10. 7.

    “We do not argue to be heard; we are heard because we argue well.” Milo is labeling the device and its effect in the frame. Which label and effect fit the sentence?

    • Chiasmus: the reversal shows that arguing and being heard have nothing to do with each other.
    • Anaphora: beginning both halves with “we” makes the team sound united.
    • Chiasmus: “argue … heard” turns into “heard … argue,” so the reversal makes the point memorable.
    • Antithesis: setting arguing against listening shows they are opposites.
11. 8.

    “The pen of a careful reporter can change a town more than a loud meeting can.” Ren is labeling the device and its effect in the frame. Which label and effect fit the sentence?

    • Metonymy: “the pen” stands for writing, so reporters seem weaker than meetings.
    • Metonymy: “the pen” stands for writing, so careful words seem stronger than noise.
    • Synecdoche: “the pen,” a part of the reporter, stands for the whole person.
    • Apostrophe: the editorial speaks to the pen, so readers feel its power.
12. 9.

    Four sentences from an invented hiking club's guide. Esme needs an example of chiasmus for a class handout. Which sentence uses chiasmus?

    • The map was neat and dry, but the walk was long and muddy.
    • Use the map on the walk, and fix the map if it turns out to be wrong.
    • Map in hand, boots laced, water packed, we set out.
    • Let the map guide the walk, and let the walk correct the map.

13. Use this

    An invented speaker wants the close of a library fundraiser speech to build in force. Plain line: The library helps students, readers and families who need a quiet place.

14. 10.

    Noah is choosing a closing line for the speaker. Which version uses the device that builds in force?

    • The library is for students, readers, and it is for families who need a quiet place.
    • The library helps students, readers and families who need a quiet place.
    • The library is for students, the library is for readers, the library is for every family that needs a quiet place.
    • Students, readers, families: the library serves them.