Language techniques
Edexcel GCSE English Language revision on Language techniques. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language 1EN0 specification. This bank has 49 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 49)
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Question 1
'The wind howled like a wolf' is an example of which technique?
- A) Metaphor
- B) Simile
- C) Personification
- D) Alliteration
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Answer: Simile
Simile = compares two things using LIKE or AS. Metaphor = says something IS another thing ('the wind was a wolf'). Personification = giving non-human things human qualities ('the wind howled' alone, with no comparison, is personification). Alliteration = repeated initial consonant sounds ('whispering winds').
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Question 2
'The shop SHOULDERED its way between two skyscrapers' uses which technique?
- A) Simile
- B) Hyperbole
- C) Personification
- D) Onomatopoeia
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Answer: Personification
Personification gives human characteristics or actions to non-human things. It makes description vivid and lets the writer suggest emotion or attitude without stating it directly. In analysis, always say what the personification SUGGESTS about the object (here, the shop is cramped, pushy, almost rude).
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Question 3
Repetition of initial CONSONANT sounds (e.g. 'silently shimmering snow') is...
- A) Assonance
- B) Alliteration
- C) Sibilance
- D) Onomatopoeia
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Answer: Alliteration
Sibilance is a specific TYPE of alliteration — only S / SH / Z sounds ('silently shimmering snow' is also sibilance, doubly so). Assonance = repeated VOWEL sounds within words ('how now brown cow'). Onomatopoeia = words that sound like what they mean ('buzz', 'crash').
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
46 more questions on Language techniques — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole English Language spec.