American Literature TISKs Practice Exam

Which term is a mild term replacing a harsh or crass one?

Metaphor Irony Hyperbole Euphemism

Correct Answer:

Euphemism

Explanation:

Euphemism is the term for using a milder or less offensive expression in place of a harsh or blunt one. It’s a linguistic strategy to soften the impact of what’s being said, especially about topics that people find uncomfortable or taboo, like death or bodily functions. For example, saying someone “passed away” instead of “died” or using “let go” instead of “fired” are euphemisms. The other terms describe different kinds of figures of speech: metaphor compares one thing to another for effect, irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant, and hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration. Those don’t specifically involve replacing harsh language with gentler wording, so euphemism is the best fit.

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