Identify the figure of speech in the sentence:
"The wind is whispering through the trees."

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities, actions, or emotions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
In the given sentence, the wind, which is a non-human natural force, is given the human ability to 'whisper'.
This literary device makes the description more vivid and relatable for the reader by creating a sensory experience.

Option A: Irony involves a contradiction between appearance/expectation and reality. The sentence 'The wind is whispering' does not contain any such contradiction.
Option B: A metaphor is a direct comparison that states one thing is another, without using 'like' or 'as'. The sentence does not directly equate the wind with something else.
Option C: A simile is a comparison using the words 'like' or 'as'. The sentence does not use either of these words to make a comparison.

Visual 1: Chart - A chart defining and providing examples of common figures of speech (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Irony, Hyperbole) to help differentiate them.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of Figures of Speech as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is an English grammar question, understanding figurative language is crucial for effective communication in nursing.
Patients often use metaphors and similes to describe their pain or symptoms (e.g., 'a stabbing pain,' 'my head feels like it's in a vice'). Recognizing this helps in accurate assessment.
What if? - If a patient says, 'My heart is racing like a train,' recognizing this as a simile helps the nurse understand the patient's perception of their tachycardia and prompts a focused cardiovascular assessment, rather than taking it literally.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence carefully: 'The wind is whispering through the trees.'
Identify the main subject (the wind) and the action it is performing (whispering).
Ask yourself: Is 'whispering' an action a non-human thing like the wind can literally do? The answer is no; it's a human action.
Review the definitions of the figures of speech provided in the options.
Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. This matches the analysis.
Eliminate the other options: there is no 'like' or 'as' (ruling out simile), no direct 'is' comparison (ruling out metaphor), and no contradiction (ruling out irony).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.