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






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






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






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






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






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






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






8. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






10. An adjective that follows a linking verb






11. A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn






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






13. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






17. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






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






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






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






22. The dictionary definition of a word. contrast with connotation






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






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






25. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






26. 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






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






28. A forceful sermon - lecture or tirade






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






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






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






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






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






34. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






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






36. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing






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






38. 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






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






40. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






42. Grating - inharmonious sounds






43. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






44. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






45. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






46. A work of literature dealing with rural life






47. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is






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






49. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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