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






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






3. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated






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






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






6. 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






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






8. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






10. 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






11. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






12. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






13. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






15. A latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point






16. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose






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






18. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action and resolution






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






20. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






22. A metaphor embedded in a sentence rather than expressed directly as a sentence






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






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






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






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






27. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






30. An adjective that follows a linking verb






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






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






33. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject






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






35. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






36. A work of literature dealing with rural life






37. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits






38. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






39. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






40. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






42. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






43. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects - without using like or as






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






45. 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






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






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






48. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






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