Figure of Speech Based Questions - 5 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The elderly lady was a Princess Drubetskaya, belonging to one of the best families in Russia, but she was poor, and having long been out of society had lost her former influential connections. She had now come to Petersburg to procure an appointment in the Guards for her only son. It was, in fact, solely to meet Prince Vasili that she had obtained an invitation to Anna Pavlovna’s reception, and had sat listening to the vicomte’s story.
Prince Vasili’s words frightened her, an embittered look clouded her once handsome face, but only for a moment; then she smiled again and clutched Prince Vasili’s arm more tightly. ‘Listen to me, Prince,’ said she. ‘I have never yet asked you for anything and I never will again, nor have I ever reminded you of my father’s friendship for you; but now I entreat you for God’s sake to do this for my son—and I shall always regard you as a benefactor,’ she added hurriedly.
‘No, don’t be angry, but promise! I have asked Golitsyn and he has refused. Soyez le bon enfant que vous avez été,’1 she said, trying to smile though tears were in her eyes. ‘Papá, we shall be late,’ said Princess Hélène, turning her beautiful head and looking over her classically moulded shoulder as she stood waiting by the door. Influence in society, however, is capital which has to be economized if it is to last. Prince Vasili knew this, and having once realized that if he asked on behalf of all who begged of him, he would soon be unable to ask for himself, he became chary of using his influence.
But in Princess Drubetskaya’s case he felt, after her second appeal, something like qualms of conscience. She had reminded him of what was quite true; he had been indebted to her father for the first steps in his career. Moreover, he could see by her manner that she was one of those women—mostly mothers—who having once made up their minds, will not rest until they have gained their end, and are prepared if necessary to go on insisting day after day and hour after hour, and even to make scenes. This last consideration moved him.
‘Chère Anna Mikhailovna,’ said he with his usual familiarity and weariness of tone, ‘it is almost impossible for me to do what you ask; but to prove my devotion to you and how I respect your father’s memory, I will do the impossible—your son shall be transferred to the Guards. Here is my hand on it. Are you satisfied?’ ‘My dear benefactor! This is what I expected from you—I knew your kindness!’ He turned to go.
‘[Extracts from WAR AND PEACE Translated with Notes by LOUISE and AYLMER MAUDE Revised and Edited with an Introduction by AMY MANDELKER]
Q1: Which figure of speech is used in "an embittered look clouded her once handsome face"?
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Hyperbole
Ans: (b)
Sol: The phrase describes the embittered look as something that 'clouded' her face, suggesting a comparison between her expression and a cloud covering something. This indirect comparison, without using 'like' or 'as,' makes it a metaphor.

Q2: Identify the figure of speech in "I will do the impossible—your son shall be transferred to the Guards."
(a) Hyperbole
(b) Metonymy
(c) Oxymoron
(d) Irony
Ans: (a)
Sol: The use of "I will do the impossible" is an exaggeration to emphasize the difficulty of the task, making it a hyperbole. It's not meant to be taken literally but to underscore the effort required.

Q3: Which figure of speech is evident in "she smiled again and clutched Prince Vasili’s arm more tightly"?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Alliteration
(c) Synecdoche
(d) Hyperbole
Ans: (b)
Sol: The phrase uses alliteration in the repetition of the consonant sound 's' in 'smiled' and 'again,' and 'clutched' and 'closely.' This repetition of sound adds a rhythmic quality to the sentence.

Q4: What figure of speech is used in "will not rest until they have gained their end"?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Hyperbole
(c) Personification
(d) Simile
Ans: (c)
Sol: The phrase personifies the mothers by attributing them with the human quality of relentless determination. It's as though the mothers themselves are given life and willpower.

Q5: Identify the figure of speech in "this is what I expected from you—I knew your kindness!"
(a) Irony
(b) Hyperbole
(c) Metaphor
(d) Oxymoron
Ans: (b)
Sol: The phrase is an exaggeration expressing the speaker's high expectations and overwhelming gratitude. It emphasizes the depth of her faith in the person's kindness, making it a hyperbole.