79. The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard / And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood, / Sweet-scented stuff when the breeze drew across it. The lines shown contain what figure of speech?
Answer: A
Alliteration is the figure of speech present in the lines.
The phrase "buzz saw snarled and rattled" demonstrates alliteration, as it features the repetition of the initial consonant sound 's' in "snarled" and "saw," contributing to the auditory imagery of the scene.
A) Alliteration
This option is correct because alliteration involves the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely placed words. In this case, "buzz," "saw," "snarled," and "rattled" create a rhythmic quality that enhances the description of the saw's noise, making it a prominent example of this figure of speech.
B) Apostrophe
Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an absent person or a personified quality or idea. In the provided lines, there is no direct address to an absent entity, thus making this option incorrect.
C) Simile
A simile is a comparison made using "like" or "as." The provided lines do not contain any direct comparisons; therefore, this option does not apply to the context of the excerpt.
D) Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. The lines do not include any contradictory phrases; thus, this option is incorrect.
E) Paradox
A paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth. The given lines do not present any such contradictions, making this option not applicable.
Conclusion
Alliteration is effectively illustrated in the lines through the repetition of initial consonant sounds, enhancing the auditory imagery. Other options like apostrophe, simile, oxymoron, and paradox do not reflect the characteristics present in the text, confirming that alliteration is the correct and most fitting figure of speech in this context.