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Multiple Choice

Which term describes the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words?

Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words is called consonance. This device shows up when the same consonant sounds recur in nearby words, whether inside words or at their endings, helping to create a smoky, musical effect without relying on vowels. It differs from rhyme, which is about matching sounds at the ends of words or lines (and often involves both vowels and consonants). It differs from alliteration, which is specifically the repetition of initial consonant sounds in adjacent words. It also differs from assonance, which is the repetition of vowel sounds. An example would be a line like “The wind hissed through the leaves,” where the repeated “s” sounds tie the words together and produce a cohesive rhythm.

Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words is called consonance. This device shows up when the same consonant sounds recur in nearby words, whether inside words or at their endings, helping to create a smoky, musical effect without relying on vowels. It differs from rhyme, which is about matching sounds at the ends of words or lines (and often involves both vowels and consonants). It differs from alliteration, which is specifically the repetition of initial consonant sounds in adjacent words. It also differs from assonance, which is the repetition of vowel sounds. An example would be a line like “The wind hissed through the leaves,” where the repeated “s” sounds tie the words together and produce a cohesive rhythm.