39. "I have a mountain of homework" is an example of an exaggeration used for emphasis.

Here are the answers to the literary knowledge questions: 39. "I have a mountain of homework" is an example of an exaggeration used for emphasis. The correct option is D. Hyperbole* is the use of exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{D}}$ 40. "My grandmother is as blind as a bat" is an example of a comparison using "as". The correct option is B. A simile* is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using "like" or "as". The final answer is $\boxed{\text{B}}$ 41. A character that undergoes little or no inner change in a story is known as a static character. The correct option is A. A static character* remains largely the same throughout the story. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$ 42. "The orange juice is sweet sour" combines two contradictory terms. The correct option is A. An oxymoron* is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$ 43. A figure of speech in which an unpleasant or offensive object is described in pleasant terms is called a euphemism. The correct option is C. A euphemism* is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{C}}$ That's 2 down. 3 left today — send the next one.