Quiz: Features of Persuasive Speech

Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________

Instructions:
Read each question carefully. Use the provided excerpts to analyze and identify
structural, literary, and rhetorical devices. Highlight or underline examples in the text
where applicable.

Question 1: Structural Feature

"Imagine a world where every child has access to clean water. A world where no one
goes to bed hungry. This is not just a dream—it’s a possibility within our reach."
Identify the purpose of this opening statement in a persuasive speech? Explain
a) To entertain the audience with a story
b) To grab attention and establish the topic
c) To summarize the main points of the speech
d) To provide evidence for the argument

Question 2: Literary Device – Imagery

"The forest was alive with the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds, but now it lies
silent, its trees cut down like fallen soldiers."
A) What literary device is used here to evoke emotion?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Alliteration
d) Hyperbole
B) Highlight the example in the text and explain its context:
Question 3: Rhetorical Device
"How can we stand by and watch as our planet suffers under the weight of pollution?"
What is the purpose of this rhetorical question? Explain the context this speech
is written.
a) To provide an answer to the audience
b) To provoke thought and engage the audience emotionally
c) To confuse the audience
d) To summarize the speech

Question 4: Structural Feature

"Join us today in planting trees, reducing waste, and protecting wildlife. Together, we
can create a greener future!"
A) What structural feature of a persuasive speech does this represent? Comment
on the importance of this feature.
a) Introduction
b) Evidence
c) Call to Action
d) Counterargument

Question 5: Literary Device

"We must act. We must protect. We must preserve."
A) Identify and explain the literary device is being used here?
a) Simile
b) Repetition
c) Personification
d) Irony
B) Why is this device effective in persuasion?
Question 6: Rhetorical Device
"As a scientist with over 20 years of experience studying climate change, I assure you
that the data is clear—our planet is in crisis."
Identify and explain the rhetorical device being used by the speaker.
a) Pathos
b) Logos
c) Ethos
d) Kairos

Question 7: Literary Device

"Like David facing Goliath, we too can overcome the giants of environmental
destruction if we work together."
A) Identify the literary device being used here?
a) Metaphor
b) Allusion
c) Hyperbole
d) Onomatopoeia
B) Explain how this device strengthens the argument:

Question 8: Structural Feature

"Some may argue that recycling is inconvenient and time-consuming. However, the
small effort it takes to recycle pales in comparison to the long-term benefits for our
planet."
What structural feature of a persuasive speech is being demonstrated here?
Comment on the importance of this feature.
a) Call to Action
b) Counterargument
c) Conclusion
d) Introduction
Question 9: Rhetorical Device
"Think of the children who will grow up in a world without clean air to breathe or safe
water to drink. Is that the legacy we want to leave behind?"
a) Identify the rhetorical device being used to appeal to the audience’s emotions?
a) Ethos
b) Logos
c) Pathos
d) Kairos
b) Highlight the emotional appeal in the text:

Question 10: Literary Device

"Our planet is a fragile glass orb, teetering on the edge of destruction."
a) What literary device is being used here?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Personification
b) Explain how this device helps convey the message:

Question 11: Purpose of the Speech

"Today, I urge you to take action against bullying in our schools. Together, we can
create a safer environment for every student."
Identify and comment on the primary purpose of this speech?
a) To entertain
b) To inform
c) To persuade
d) To narrate
Question 12: Audience Awareness
"Parents, teachers, and students—this issue affects us all. Let’s work together to
ensure no child feels unsafe at school."
How does the speaker demonstrate awareness of their audience? Justify your
answer
a) By using technical jargon
b) By addressing specific groups directly
c) By telling a personal story
d) By avoiding emotional appeals

Question 13: Tone and Mood

"The silence in the room was deafening as she described the pain of losing her home to
a wildfire."
A) Identify the tone and mood of this excerpt?
a) Angry and confrontational
b) Reflective and somber
c) Joyful and uplifting
d) Humorous and lighthearted
B) Highlight textual evidence that supports your answer:

Question 14: Creator’s Choice

"Every year, thousands of animals lose their habitats due to deforestation. Imagine a
baby orangutan crying for its mother because they’ve been separated by chainsaws."
A) Why did the creator choose this imagery?
a) To provide factual information
b) To evoke empathy and motivate action
c) To entertain the audience
d) To confuse the audience
B) Identify and Elaborate on the particular Rhetorical device being used here:
Question 15: Effect on the Audience
"If we don’t act now, future generations will inherit a planet drowning in plastic waste. Is
that the world we want for our children?"
A) Identify the effect this statement has on the audience?
a) It confuses them with complex language
b) It inspires guilt and prompts reflection
c) It entertains them with humor
d) It provides statistical evidence
Justify in reference to the context:

Question 16: Purpose and Textual Evidence

"Studies show that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees. By making small
changes, we can protect our forests."
Explain the purpose of including this evidence?
a) To entertain the audience
b) To persuade through logical reasoning
c) To create suspense
d) To describe a process
Highlight textual evidence that supports your answer:

Question 17: Creator’s Choice – Word Selection

"The ocean is choking on plastic, suffocating under the weight of our waste."
Why did the creator use words like "choking" and "suffocating"?
a) To make the issue seem less serious
b) To create vivid imagery and emphasize urgency
c) To confuse the audience
d) To provide humor

Question 18: Audience Engagement

"Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of homework you have.
Now imagine feeling that way every single day."

Explain how this technique engages the audience?

a) By providing facts and statistics
b) By encouraging active participation
c) By using sarcasm
d) By avoiding emotional appeals

Question 19: Tone and Creator’s Intent

"We must rise above fear and take bold steps toward change. The time for hesitation is
over."
What tone does the creator aim to convey, and why?
a) Playful and humorous to entertain
b) Inspirational and determined to motivate action
c) Sad and reflective to evoke pity
d) Confusing and vague to provoke thought
Question 20: Textual Evidence and Effectiveness
"In just one hour, a sea turtle can ingest enough plastic to kill it. This is not just a
statistic—it’s a tragedy."
A) Explain how this piece of evidence is effective?
a) It uses humor to lighten the mood
b) It combines data with emotional impact to drive the message home
c) It avoids addressing the audience directly
d) It focuses solely on abstract ideas
B) Highlight textual evidence that supports your answer: