Covers CET, XAT, SNAP, CMAT & NMAT syllabus
Q1. Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence:
“The moon smiled down upon the sleeping village.”
The moon is given the human action of smiling. Giving human qualities to a non-human object is called personification.
Q2. Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence:
“The classroom was a zoo during the lunch break.”
The classroom is directly compared to a zoo without using “like” or “as”. This direct comparison is a metaphor.
Q3. Which of the following sentences is an example of Hyperbole?
“A mountain of homework” is an exaggeration. Hyperbole uses exaggeration to create emphasis.
Q4. Which of the following sentences is an example of Oxymoron?
“Deafening silence” combines two opposite ideas. Such a pairing is called an oxymoron.
Q5. Identify the figure of speech used in the expression:
“The snake moved through the grass with a hiss.”
“Hiss” imitates the sound made by a snake. Sound-imitating words are examples of onomatopoeia.
Q6. Identify the figure of speech used in the expression:
“After hearing the news, she had a bittersweet feeling.”
“Bittersweet” combines two opposite feelings: bitter and sweet. This is an oxymoron.
Q7. Which sentence uses the same figure of speech as:
“The flowers danced happily in the breeze.”
The given sentence uses personification. Option B also gives human-like action and emotion to the storm.
Q8. Which sentence uses the same figure of speech as:
“My brother is a walking encyclopedia.”
“My brother is a walking encyclopedia” is a metaphor. Option C directly compares words to arrows, so it is also a metaphor.
Q9. Four of the following sentences use Personification. Which one does NOT?
Option E uses “as red as roses”, which is a simile.
Q10. Four of the following sentences use a Simile. Which one does NOT?
Option D directly compares clouds to cotton balls without “like” or “as”, making it a metaphor.
Q11. “The angry wind screamed like a frightened child through the trees.” Which figures of speech are used?
Wind screaming is personification; “like a frightened child” is a simile.
Q12. “The stars danced like tiny diamonds across the night sky.” Which figures of speech are used?
Stars dancing is personification; “like tiny diamonds” is a simile.
Quick Recap: Figure of Speech
- Simile compares two things using words like “like” or “as”.
- Metaphor directly compares two things without using “like” or “as”.
- Personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
- Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement used for effect.
- Oxymoron combines two opposite or contradictory words.
- Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate sounds, such as hiss, buzz, bang, or creak.
- Irony uses an unusual or unexpected part of a situation, etc. that seems strange or amusing.
Figure of Speech Questions for MBA Verbal Ability
Unlike CAT, other MBA entrance exams test grammar directly, so Figure of Speech questions are useful for CET, XAT, SNAP, CMAT and NMAT verbal ability preparation. This topic checks whether students can identify figurative meaning, comparison, exaggeration, sound effect and human-like description inside a sentence. CET may ask direct grammar and English usage questions where students identify simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, oxymoron or onomatopoeia. SNAP can test the same concept through quick sentence-based verbal questions where speed and elimination matter. CMAT often rewards clear recognition of basic grammar and usage patterns, so figures of speech help in direct English questions. NMAT may test language skill through sentence meaning, usage and interpretation, where figurative language improves accuracy. XAT may test it indirectly through reading comprehension, tone and verbal reasoning, because figurative expressions affect meaning and inference. The best approach is to first check for “like” or “as”, then see whether the sentence directly compares two things, gives human qualities, exaggerates, imitates sound or combines opposite ideas. This CETking quiz gives timed practice, instant scoring, flags and full solutions so students can revise actively before mocks. Regular practice reduces confusion between simile and metaphor, personification and hyperbole, and oxymoron and ordinary contrast.
© Cetking 2026 Verbal Ability Preparation Portal — Figure of Speech Practice Module.