Identify the figure of speech in the expression 'a deafening silence fell on the hall'.
Aalliteration
Bantithesis
CoxymoronCORRECT
Donomatopoeia
JUPEBUse of EnglishLiterary Appreciation
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is C, and why the others tempt you.
'Deafening' and 'silence' are contradictory words placed side by side to create a striking effect, which is an oxymoron. Antithesis sets contrasting ideas in balanced clauses, onomatopoeia imitates sounds, and alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds.
Want this in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Sign up free →
Practice more Use of English questions
JUPEB Use of English has thousands more questions like this — with Worked answers on every one.