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Difficulty: MediumUnseen Text Appreciation and Analysis

Read the unseen extract below:

"In the quiet embers of midnight, the warrior wept silently, cradling a heavy lightness that pressed against his chest."

Which literary device is illustrated by the phrase 'heavy lightness' in the extract?

  1. OxymoronAnswer
  2. B
    Paradox
  3. C
    Metaphor
  4. D
    Personification

Answer

Oxymoron
The correct answer is oxymoron because 'heavy' and 'lightness' are two contradictory terms placed side-by-side to express a complex emotional state.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the target phrase in the unseen extract
The phrase 'heavy lightness' directly combines two contradictory words.
Analyzing word placement and meaning reveals the structural form of the figure of speech.
2
Differentiate oxymoron from other related devices
An oxymoron pairs contrasting words side-by-side, whereas a paradox presents a broader statement that appears contradictory but holds underlying truth.
Distinguishing word-level juxtaposition from clause-level contradiction ensures correct classification.

Key Concept

Oxymoron in Unseen Literary Analysis
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Topics

Unseen Text Appreciation and Analysis

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