English Literature Terms Trivia
Learn more about English Literature ideas with this awesome quiz.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What part of speech is "shiftless", meaning "wanting in resource, energy, or executive ability"?
- A.
Verb
- B.
Noun
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
C. AdjectiveExplanation
"Shiftless" is an adjective because it describes a noun, specifically someone who lacks resourcefulness, energy, or executive ability. Adjectives modify or give more information about nouns, so in this case, "shiftless" is describing a person's characteristics or qualities.Rate this question:
-
- 2.
What part of speech is "shrewd", meaning "characterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances"?
- A.
Adverb
- B.
Verb
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Noun
Correct Answer
C. AdjectiveExplanation
"Shrewd" is an adjective that describes someone who is skilled at understanding and taking advantage of circumstances. It is used to modify a noun and provide more information about the noun's qualities or characteristics. In this case, "shrewd" is describing someone who has the ability to make wise decisions and benefit from the situations they encounter.Rate this question:
-
- 3.
What part of speech is "shrivel", meaning "to draw or be drawn into wrinkles"?
- A.
Verb
- B.
Adjective
- C.
Adverb
- D.
Noun
Correct Answer
A. VerbExplanation
"Shrivel" is a verb because it describes an action or process of something becoming wrinkled or losing moisture. It is not an adjective, adverb, or noun because it does not modify a noun, verb, or adjective, nor does it represent a person, place, thing, or idea.Rate this question:
-
- 4.
What part of speech is "sibilate", meaning "to give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Verb
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
B. VerbExplanation
"Sibilate" is a verb because it describes an action or a process of giving a hissing sound, specifically in pronouncing the letter "s". It is not a noun, adjective, or adverb as it does not refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or manner.Rate this question:
-
- 5.
What part of speech is "sidereal", meaning "pertaining to stars or constellations"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Adjective
- C.
Verb
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
B. AdjectiveExplanation
"Sidereal" is an adjective that describes something related to stars or constellations. It is used to modify or describe nouns, indicating their connection to the celestial objects. Therefore, the correct answer is "Adjective".Rate this question:
-
- 6.
What part of speech is "signification", meaning "the meaning conveyed by language, actions, or signs"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
A. NounExplanation
"Signification" is a noun because it refers to a concept or idea, specifically the meaning conveyed by language, actions, or signs. It is not an adverb, adjective, or verb, as it does not describe an action, quality, or modify a verb.Rate this question:
-
- 7.
What part of speech is "simplify", meaning "to make less complex or difficult"?
- A.
Adjective
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Noun
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
D. VerbExplanation
The word "simplify" is a verb. It is an action word that describes the act of making something less complex or difficult. In this context, "simplify" is used to indicate the action of reducing the complexity or difficulty of something.Rate this question:
-
- 8.
What part of speech is "sinister", meaning "evil"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
C. AdjectiveExplanation
"Sinister" is an adjective that describes something as evil or threatening. Adjectives modify nouns to provide more information about their qualities or characteristics. In this case, "sinister" is used to describe something that is morally wrong or harmful, indicating its adjective nature.Rate this question:
-
- 9.
What part of speech is "sinus", meaning "an opening or cavity"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Adjective
- C.
Adverb
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
A. NounExplanation
The word "sinus" is a noun because it refers to a specific thing, which is an opening or cavity. It does not describe or modify anything, nor does it indicate an action or manner. Therefore, it fits the definition of a noun, which is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.Rate this question:
-
- 10.
What part of speech is "siren", meaning "a sea-nymph, described by homer as dwelling between the island of circe and scylla"?
- A.
Adjective
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Verb
- D.
Noun
Correct Answer
D. NounExplanation
The word "siren" in this context refers to a specific type of sea-nymph, as described by Homer. It is not being used to describe or modify anything, nor is it indicating an action or state, so it does not function as an adjective, adverb, or verb. Therefore, the correct part of speech for "siren" in this context is a noun, as it is a specific type of being or entity.Rate this question:
-
- 11.
What part of speech is "sirocco", meaning "hot winds from africa"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Verb
- C.
Adverb
- D.
Adjective
Correct Answer
A. NounExplanation
"Sirocco" is a noun because it refers to a type of wind, specifically hot winds from Africa. In this context, it is used to name a thing or concept rather than describing an action, quality, or manner. Therefore, it functions as a noun in the sentence.Rate this question:
-
- 12.
What part of speech is "sisterhood", meaning "a body of sisters united by some bond of sympathy or by a religious vow"?
- A.
Verb
- B.
Noun
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
B. NounExplanation
The word "sisterhood" is a noun. In this context, it refers to a group of sisters who are connected by a bond of sympathy or a religious vow. Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas, and "sisterhood" fits into this category as it is a word that names a group or concept.Rate this question:
-
- 13.
What part of speech is "skeptic", meaning "one who doubts any statements"?
- A.
Adjective
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Noun
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
C. NounExplanation
"Skeptic" is a noun that refers to a person who doubts or questions the truth or validity of statements or beliefs. It is not an adjective, adverb, or verb, as it does not describe, modify, or indicate an action.Rate this question:
-
- 14.
What part of speech is "skiff", meaning "usually, a small light boat propelled by oars"?
- A.
Noun
- B.
Adjective
- C.
Verb
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
A. NounExplanation
"Skiff" is a noun because it refers to a specific type of boat, a small light boat propelled by oars. As a noun, it functions as a subject or object in a sentence, and it can be modified by adjectives or determiners. In this case, "skiff" is used to identify a particular object, rather than describing an action, quality, or manner, which are characteristics of other parts of speech such as verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.Rate this question:
-
- 15.
What part of speech is "skirmish", meaning "desultory fighting between advanced detachments of two armies"?
- A.
Adjective
- B.
Noun
- C.
Adverb
- D.
Verb
Correct Answer
B. NounExplanation
"Skirmish" is a noun because it refers to a type of fighting between advanced detachments of two armies. It does not describe or modify anything (adjective), indicate manner or degree (adverb), or express an action or state of being (verb). Therefore, the correct answer is noun.Rate this question:
-
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
-
Current Version
-
Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Mar 31, 2015Quiz Created by
Alfredhook3
Back to top