Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

What term describes the repetition of vowel sounds in literature?

1. Alliteration

2. Assonance

3. Anastrophe

4. Consonance

The correct answer is: Assonance

The term that describes the repetition of vowel sounds in literature is assonance. This literary device involves the use of similar vowel sounds within nearby words in a phrase or sentence, creating a pattern that adds to the musical quality of the text. Assonance emphasizes the mood and enhances the lyrical nature of poetry or prose, making it a valuable tool for writers looking to evoke emotion or rhythm in their work. In contrast, the other options pertain to different literary devices: alliteration focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, anastrophe involves the inversion of the usual order of words for emphasis or rhythm, and consonance refers to the repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the ends of words. Each of these serves a unique purpose in language and literature, but assonance specifically highlights the repetition of vowel sounds.