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. Grating - inharmonious sounds






2. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






4. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






5. in literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






6. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






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






8. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






11. A phrase - idea or event that through representation serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






12. 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






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






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






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






16. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






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






20. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






21. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






23. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






25. An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject






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






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






28. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






29. Issues a comand






30. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






31. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






33. Language that describes specific - observable things






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






35. An adjective that follows a linking verb






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






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






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






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






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






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






49. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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