"A time to sow, A time to reap, A time to born, A time to die" This exemplies the use of ...

Step 1: Analyze the question

The lines are:

• A time to sow
• A time to reap
• A time to be born
• A time to die

We need to name the figure of speech or stylistic device at work.

Step 2: Explain the options

• Anadiplosis: The last word of one clause is repeated at the start of the next. Example: "Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate."
• Chiasmus: A reversal of grammatical structure in successive phrases (A-B, B-A). Example: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
• Anaphora: The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses. Example: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds..."
• Hendiadys: Expressing one idea with two words joined by "and". Example: "nice and warm" for "nicely warm".

Step 3: Apply to the lines

Every line begins with the same phrase, "A time to...". This repetition at the start of successive lines is the definition of anaphora.

• It is not anadiplosis, because the end of one line is not repeated at the start of the next.
• It is not chiasmus, because there is no reversed structure.
• It is not hendiadys, because there are no paired words expressing a single idea.

(Note: the passage is from Ecclesiastes 3, "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted". It is also famous in the song "Turn! Turn! Turn!")

Step 4: Answer

The correct option is C. anaphora.

Exam tip: Remember that "ana" sounds like "at the start", so anaphora is repetition at the beginning. Its opposite, epiphora, is repetition at the end of lines. For anadiplosis, think "double-link": the end of one line links to the start of the next.