Which term refers to a word that imitates a sound?

• A. Echo
• B. Alliteration
• C. Onomatopoeia
• D. Assonance

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is naming a word that imitates a sound. That term is onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia uses a word that sounds like the noise it represents, so words like buzz, hiss, bang, or meow cue the actual sound in the reader’s ear. Echo refers to a reflected or repeated sound, not a word that imitates a noise. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words, which creates rhythm rather than mimicking a specific sound. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, also affecting rhythm and mood but not naming a sound. So onomatopoeia is the best fit because it directly names a word that imitates a sound.