Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What is a pun?

1. A type of idiom

2. A wordplay exploiting multiple meanings of a term

3. A serious tone in language

4. A literary technique that uses similes

The correct answer is: A wordplay exploiting multiple meanings of a term

A pun is a form of wordplay that takes advantage of the different meanings of a word or words that sound similar but have different meanings. It typically involves a humorous or clever twist, where the intended meaning creates an amusing duality or ambiguity. Puns are often used in jokes, titles, and various forms of writing to engage readers or listeners by surprising them with a play on words. For example, the phrase "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana" plays with the meanings of "flies" and the structure of the sentence to create humor. This particular form of wordplay distinguishes puns from other literary techniques, as puns specifically focus on the linguistic nuances and the multiple meanings that can arise from words. In contrast, idioms are expressions whose meanings are not deducible from the individual words used, serious tones reflect a lack of humor, and similes are comparisons using "like" or "as," which do not involve the playfulness of puns. Each of these alternatives serves different functions in language and literature, making the use of puns distinct and unique within the realm of wordplay.