Question

Identify the onomatopoeic word(s):
The wheels screeched past the pavement. The car was flung forward till it crashed into a nearby tree.
a) screeched
b) flung
c) screeched, crashed
d) wheels

Answer 1

Hint: Onomatopoeic words are words that denote sounds of specific things or situations. Find the words that denote sounds in the given sentence.

Complete answer:
Onomatopoeia is the process of creating a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes. Such a word itself is also called an onomatopoeia. It is usually used as a figure of speech for emphatic effects. However, it can be used in everyday life as well.

Now, look at the given sentence. There are three potential objects that can make a sound. The wheels, the car, and the tree.

Now, we know what we are looking for, and we know the meaning of ‘onomatopoeia’. Let’s look at the given options:

a) screeched - The word ‘screeched’ refers to ‘gave a loud, harsh, piercing cry’. This word refers to the sound of a piercing cry. It describes a sound. This word describes the sound that the tires made on the pavement. However, it is not the only onomatopoeic word. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) flung - The word ‘flung’ refers to ‘threw or hurled forcefully’. This word refers to an action that is not related to a sound. Hence, it is not an onomatopoeic word. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect answer.
c) screeched, crashed - The word ‘crashed’ refers to ‘to collide, especially violently and noisily’. This word denotes sound as well. In this instance, the word ‘crashed’ describes the sound of the car hitting the tree. We already saw that the word ‘screeched’ is also an onomatopoeic word. It is the required answer. So, the correct answer is “Option c”.
d) wheels - The word ‘wheels’ is a noun. It does not describe a sound at all. Hence, it is not an onomatopoeic word. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Note:
Try to understand the meaning of the figure of speech of ‘Onomatopoeia’. Then, try to look for words in the sentence that fit the given definition. This will help you to identify the correct option, accordingly.