Question

Read the sentence below and answer the question that follows. If we do not act swiftly, we will be completely and utterly annihilated. Which type of rhetorical device is used in the above sentence? A. eponym B. hyperbole C. anastrophe D. allusion

Answer 1

The type of rhetorical device used in the above sentence is:

B. hyperbole

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. Hyperbole

Explanation:

The word "hyperbole" refers to a rhetorical device that uses figurative language to exaggerate some concept, action or idea. Usually used to give emphasis to an idea or the feelings and emotions attached to it. Because of this, the hyperbole used intensifiers such as the words highly, really, utterly, so, too, total, very, etc to give emphasis to an idea. This is the case of the sentence "If we do not act swiftly, we will be completely and utterly annihilated", considering in this sentence there is an emphasis on the importance of acting swiftly and besides this the words "utterly" and "completely" are intensifiers that show an exaggeration on the consequence of not acting swiftly, which is being annihilated, consequence that probably is not real, but shows an emphasis on the feelings of the author. Therefore, the rhetorical device used in the sentence is hyperbole.