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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 choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






3. Language that describes specific - observable things






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






5. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






7. The anglo-saxon language spoken in what is now england from approximately 450 to 1150 AD






8. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. it includes time - place - historical milieu and social - political and even spiritual circumstances






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






10. Two or more independent clauses






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






12. A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






14. The interpretation or analysis of a text






15. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






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






18. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






19. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack or ridicule an idea - vice or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






21. A complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows






22. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






23. Word choice characterized by simple - often one or two syllable nouns - adjectives - and adverbs






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






25. 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






26. 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






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






28. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






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






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






32. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet






33. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






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






37. 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






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






39. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






40. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






41. A subordinate or minor collection of events in an novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






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






44. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






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






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






47. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity






48. French for a novel in which historical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






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






50. Language or dialect of a particular country - Language of a clan or group - Plain everyday speech