The Call Of The Wild- Figurative Language

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Questions: 21 | Attempts: 2,563 | Updated: Jun 28, 2024

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The Call Of The Wild- Figurative Language - Quiz

A practice with similes, metaphors, onomatopoeias, personification, analogies, idioms, and hyperboles.

Questions and Answers

1.

Nig was a huge black dog, half-bloodhound and half-deerhound, with eyes that laughed and a boundless good nature.

Explanation
The given passage is an example of personification because it attributes human qualities to a non-human entity, in this case, a dog. The description of Nig having eyes that laughed and a boundless good nature gives the impression that the dog possesses human-like emotions and characteristics. This literary device helps to create a vivid and relatable image of the dog in the reader's mind.

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2.

The gold showed like yellow butter across the bottom of the washingpan.

Explanation
The given sentence uses the word "like" to compare the appearance of the gold to the color and texture of yellow butter. This comparison helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind, emphasizing the brightness and smoothness of the gold. This use of comparison is known as a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as".

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3.

Thornton's command cracked out like a pistol shot.

Explanation
This sentence uses a simile to compare Thornton's command to a pistol shot. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as." In this case, the author is emphasizing the sudden and forceful nature of Thornton's command by comparing it to the sound of a pistol shot. The use of the word "cracked" also adds to the intensity and abruptness of the command.

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4.

The load quivered, and from under the runners arose a crisp crackling.

Explanation
The given sentence uses personification by attributing human qualities to the load, suggesting that it is capable of quivering. Additionally, it uses onomatopoeia with the word "crackling" to imitate the sound of the load.

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5.

The Eldorado emptied its occupants into the street to see the test.

Explanation
The given sentence personifies the Eldorado by stating that it "emptied its occupants into the street." Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities or actions are attributed to non-human entities. In this case, the Eldorado, which is an inanimate object, is given the human ability to empty its occupants.

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6.

She had the doctor trait which some dogs possess; and as a mother cat washes her kittens, so she washed and cleansed Buck's wounds.

Explanation
The figurative language used in the sentence "as a mother cat washes her kittens" is a simile. Similes make comparisons between two unlike things using "like" or "as," in this case comparing the action of the woman (who possesses a nurturing trait) to the nurturing behavior of a mother cat towards her kittens.

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7.

Hal was hurled backward, as though struck by a falling tree.

Explanation
The given sentence describes Hal being thrown backward, comparing it to being struck by a falling tree. This comparison creates an analogy between the two actions, suggesting that the force and impact of being struck by a falling tree is similar to the force and impact that caused Hal to be thrown backward.

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8.

Shrubs and vines were putting on fresh garbs of green. Crickets sang in the nights, and in the days all manner of creeping, crawling things rustled forth into the sun.

Explanation
The given passage personifies shrubs and vines by stating that they are "putting on fresh garbs of green." This means that the plants are being described as if they are dressing themselves in new clothing. Similarly, the passage personifies crickets by saying that they "sang in the nights." This means that the crickets are being described as if they have the ability to sing. Overall, the passage uses personification to give human-like qualities to non-human things, adding vividness and imagery to the description.

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9.

His heart was not in the work, nor ws the heart of any dog.

Explanation
The given sentence is an example of an idiom. The phrase "His heart was not in the work, nor was the heart of any dog" is not meant to be taken literally. It implies that the person mentioned in the sentence had no interest, enthusiasm, or passion for the work they were doing, and neither did anyone else. This idiom is used to convey the lack of motivation or dedication in a particular situation.

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10.

And in her zeal, when she had finished with her own, she attacked the belongings of her men and went through them like a tornado.

Explanation
The given sentence uses the phrase "like a tornado" to compare the actions of the woman to the destructive and chaotic nature of a tornado. This is an example of a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as". In this case, the simile emphasizes the intensity and force with which the woman went through her men's belongings, highlighting her zeal and lack of restraint.

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11.

The sled held as though it were an anchor.

Explanation
The sentence is using a simile to compare the way the sled held to the way an anchor holds. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as". In this case, the author is saying that the sled held tightly or firmly, just like an anchor does when it is dropped into the water. This comparison helps the reader understand the strength or stability of the sled.

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12.

The whip was whistling savagely, when once more Mercedes interfered.

Explanation
The correct answer is personification because the sentence attributes the human characteristic of whistling savagely to the whip. This figure of speech helps to create a vivid and engaging image in the reader's mind by giving an inanimate object, the whip, human qualities.

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13.

The mail was taking on Alpine proportions.

Explanation
The phrase "taking on Alpine proportions" is a metaphor because it is comparing the size or scale of the mail to the grandeur or immensity of the Alps. This suggests that the mail is growing or becoming larger in a way that is exaggerated or monumental, emphasizing its significance or overwhelming nature.

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14.

When they arrived in Skagway they wer apparently on their last legs.

Explanation
The phrase "on their last legs" is an idiom that means someone or something is very tired, worn out, or close to the point of failure or collapse. In the given context, it suggests that when they arrived in Skagway, they were extremely exhausted or in a state of extreme fatigue. The idiom is used figuratively to describe a physical or mental condition rather than literal legs.

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15.

The day was young and the dog-driver was able to push on.

Explanation
This sentence is an example of an idiom. An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. In this case, the phrase "push on" means to continue or keep going despite any challenges or obstacles. The idiom emphasizes that the dog-driver was able to continue their journey because it was still early in the day.

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16.

Once more Francois called, and once more Buck laughed and kept away.

Explanation
The given sentence is an example of personification because it attributes human characteristics (specifically, the ability to call and laugh) to a non-human entity (Buck). This literary device is used to make the description more vivid and engaging for the reader.

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17.

Time was flying, and they should have been on the trail an hour gone.

Explanation
The given sentence includes the word "idiom" at the end, which indicates that the sentence is an example or use of an idiom. The sentence itself is not a complete idiom, but it suggests that time was passing quickly and they should have already started their journey an hour ago. The phrase "time was flying" is a figurative expression meaning that time was passing quickly.

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18.

Every animal was motionless as though turned to stone.

Explanation
The given sentence uses a simile to describe the state of the animals. It compares their motionlessness to being turned to stone. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as." In this case, it creates a vivid image of the animals being completely still and unresponsive, emphasizing their lack of movement.

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19.

The rabbit could not turn, and as the white teeth broke its back in midair it shrieked as loudly as a stricken man may shriek.

Explanation
The given passage uses a simile to describe the rabbit's shriek. It compares the loudness of the rabbit's shriek to that of a stricken man. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as". In this case, the author is using the simile to emphasize the intensity and distress of the rabbit's shriek by likening it to the sound a man might make when in extreme pain or distress.

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20.

Twice his teeth clipped together, like the steel jaws of a trap.

Explanation
The given sentence uses the word "like" to compare the action of his teeth clipping together to the steel jaws of a trap. This comparison creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and helps to convey the force or intensity of the action. This figure of speech is known as a simile, which is a literary device used to make a comparison between two things using "like" or "as".

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21.

Pike took heart at that open mutiny and sprang upon the overthrown leader.

Explanation
The phrase "took heart" is an idiom that means to gain confidence or courage. In this context, Pike gained confidence from witnessing the open mutiny and immediately took action by attacking the leader who had been overthrown. The use of the idiom suggests that Pike felt encouraged and emboldened by the mutiny, leading him to take decisive action.

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Current Version
Jun 28, 2024

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Apr 07, 2010

Quiz Created by
Mrs_miller

The Call Of The Wild- Figurative Language

Nig was a huge black dog, half-bloodhound and half-deerhound, with eyes that laughed and a boundless good nature.

The gold showed like yellow butter across the bottom of the washingpan.

Thornton's command cracked out like a pistol shot.

The load quivered, and from under the runners arose a crisp crackling.

The Eldorado emptied its occupants into the street to see the test.

She had the doctor trait which some dogs possess; and as a mother cat washes her kittens, so she washed and cleansed Buck's wounds.

Hal was hurled backward, as though struck by a falling tree.

Shrubs and vines were putting on fresh garbs of green. Crickets sang in the nights, and in the days all manner of creeping, crawling things rustled forth into the sun.

His heart was not in the work, nor ws the heart of any dog.

And in her zeal, when she had finished with her own, she attacked the belongings of her men and went through them like a tornado.

The sled held as though it were an anchor.

The whip was whistling savagely, when once more Mercedes interfered.

The mail was taking on Alpine proportions.

When they arrived in Skagway they wer apparently on their last legs.

The day was young and the dog-driver was able to push on.

Once more Francois called, and once more Buck laughed and kept away.

Time was flying, and they should have been on the trail an hour gone.

Every animal was motionless as though turned to stone.

The rabbit could not turn, and as the white teeth broke its back in midair it shrieked as loudly as a stricken man may shriek.

Twice his teeth clipped together, like the steel jaws of a trap.

Pike took heart at that open mutiny and sprang upon the overthrown leader.