Which term is described as a literary device that gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story?

Which term is described as a literary device that gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story?

• A. Foreshadow
• B. Metaphor
• C. Simile
• D. Irony

Answer: (A)

Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Writers use it to prepare readers for upcoming events, build suspense, and make later developments feel inevitable or connected. It can show up as a small clue in dialogue, a recurring symbol, or a detail that seems ordinary at first but gains significance as the plot unfolds. For example, a dark storm on the horizon or a character’s offhand remark about trouble to come can signal upcoming conflict. Metaphor and simile are about making comparisons to illuminate meaning, not about predicting future events. Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often for surprise or humor, rather than hinting at what will happen next. So the term that best fits the description is foreshadowing.

Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Writers use it to prepare readers for upcoming events, build suspense, and make later developments feel inevitable or connected. It can show up as a small clue in dialogue, a recurring symbol, or a detail that seems ordinary at first but gains significance as the plot unfolds. For example, a dark storm on the horizon or a character’s offhand remark about trouble to come can signal upcoming conflict. Metaphor and simile are about making comparisons to illuminate meaning, not about predicting future events. Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often for surprise or humor, rather than hinting at what will happen next. So the term that best fits the description is foreshadowing.