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. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






2. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem






3. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words - shapes ideas - forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas






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






5. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work--the spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






6. A french verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






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






8. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






10. A parody of traditional epic form






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






12. A sentence that follows the customary word order of english sentences - ie subject verb object. the main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






13. Issues a comand






14. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






16. The main character in a work of literature






17. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






18. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






19. The depiction of people - things and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect






20. The main idea isn't completed until the end of the sentence






21. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






22. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






23. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






24. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances






25. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






26. A synonym for poetry. also - a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






27. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






28. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated






29. A humorous play on words - using similar sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






30. One independent clause and no dependent clause






31. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile and metaphor






32. One of the ancient greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






33. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






34. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line






35. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work






36. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






37. The emotional tone in a work of literature






38. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations






39. Literally 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






40. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry






41. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term






42. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; less subtle than irony






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






44. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose






45. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






46. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






47. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






48. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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