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Literary And Rhetorical Vocab

Subject : english
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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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. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem






2. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






3. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






5. A term often used as a synonym for realism; also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic






6. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular syntax or pattern of words






7. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






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






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






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






11. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






13. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






16. A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface






17. 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






18. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme or some other plan






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






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






21. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






22. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






23. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






25. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






26. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






27. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






28. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






29. The main character in a work of literature






30. The origin or derivation of a word






31. One in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale.






32. A device employed in anglo-saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities






33. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that causes the hero considerable anguish






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






35. A term used to describe literary forms such as novel - play and essay






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






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






38. 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






39. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line. the pattern is called scansion. if a verse doesn't 'scan' its meter is irregular






40. A term for the title character of a work of literature






41. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






42. 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






43. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






44. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






45. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






46. A verbal (often preceded by 'to') that functions as a noun adjective or adverb






47. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






48. 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






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






50. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play







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