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






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






3. A noun that renames the subject






4. 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






5. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






8. Two or more independent clauses






9. Issues a comand






10. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character






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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






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






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






20. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






21. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background and all other elements of the story






22. 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






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






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






25. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






26. 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






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






28. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






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






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






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






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






34. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD






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






36. A form of verse usually consisting of three four line units called quatrains and a concluding couplet






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






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






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






40. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






41. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






45. A forceful sermon - lecture or tirade






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






47. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






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






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