Alliteration MCQ Quiz : Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same initial consonant sound is repeated in closely placed words. It is not about repeating letters, but about repeating sounds. For example, words beginning with “c” and “k” can alliterate if they carry the same sound, such as in “keen courage.”
Why Writers Use Alliteration
| Purpose | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Rhythm and Melody | Alliteration gives a musical quality to poetry and prose, making lines flow smoothly. |
| Emphasis and Focus | By repeating sounds, a writer can highlight important words or phrases. |
| Mood and Atmosphere | Soft sounds like “s” create calmness, while hard sounds like “t” or “k” create tension. |
| Memorability | It makes expressions and names easier to remember, which is why it is used in proverbs, slogans, and brand names. |
Famous Examples of Alliteration From Literature
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“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes…” — Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare (repetition of the “f” sound).
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“Fair is foul, and foul is fair…” — Macbeth by Shakespeare (repetition of the “f” sound).
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“His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly…” — Dubliners by James Joyce (repetition of “s” and “f” sounds).
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“The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, and the furrow followed free.” — The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge (repetition of “b” and “f”).
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“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…” — The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe (repetition of “w”).
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“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” — The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (repetition of “b”).
Examples of Alliteration From Everyday Language
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Tongue Twisters: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”, “She sells seashells by the seashore”.
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Common Phrases: “busy as a bee”, “picture perfect”.
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Brand Names: Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ Donuts, Best Buy.
Roots and Definition of Alliteration
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Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in words placed near each other. Vowel sounds may also create alliteration if repeated.
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Origin: The word “alliteration” comes from Latin littera meaning “letter.”
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History: Alliteration was widely used in Old English poetry such as Beowulf and in Middle English poems like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It was also common in Sanskrit, Latin, Irish, and Germanic poetry traditions.
Alliteration MCQ Quiz of 15 Questions
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