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






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






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






4. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. Two or more independent clauses






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






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






14. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






15. One independent clause and no dependent clause






16. A sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses






17. 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






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






19. 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






20. 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






21. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work--the spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






22. Issues a comand






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






24. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






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






26. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






27. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words - shapes ideas - forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas






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






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






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






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






32. An adjective that follows a linking verb






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






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






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






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






37. 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






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






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






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






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






42. A sentence with two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses






43. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






46. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque






47. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






49. When the infinitive is interrupted with another word - typically an adverb or adverbial phrase






50. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death