Test your basic knowledge |

Literary And Rhetorical Vocab

Subject : english
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






2. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






3. A figure of speech whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity






4. deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient greek and roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity and restraint






5. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






6. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






7. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






8. An adjective that follows a linking verb






9. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of english sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end. in other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support






10. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






11. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem






12. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






13. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or non-human objects






14. The emotional tone in a work of literature






15. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation






16. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






17. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer or the world at large






18. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






19. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






20. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque






21. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






22. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






23. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






24. Language that describes specific - observable things






25. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






26. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses or sentences






27. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






28. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






29. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first person pronouns such as I and we






30. A familiar grouping of words - especially words that habitually appear together and thereby convey meaning by association






31. A german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






32. A novel focusing on and describing social customs and habits of a particular social group






33. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






34. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






35. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






36. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






37. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






38. A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero






39. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






40. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






41. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






42. A parody of traditional epic form






43. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






44. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






45. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part - also when the name of a material stands for the thing itself






46. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often marked by punctuation






47. An indirect or subtle - usually derogatory implication in expression - an insinuation






48. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






49. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






50. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects - without using like or as