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. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






3. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






5. 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






6. The main character in a work of literature






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






8. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






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






10. One independent clause and no dependent clause






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






12. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






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






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






15. One of the ancient greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. 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






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






27. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






28. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






29. Issues a comand






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






31. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






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






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






34. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






35. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






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






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






41. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






44. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






45. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






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






47. 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






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






49. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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