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






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






3. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






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






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






6. A parody of traditional epic form






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






8. 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






9. 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






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






11. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






12. A german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






14. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






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






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






18. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






21. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






22. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






24. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






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






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






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






29. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first person pronouns such as I and we






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






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






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






33. 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






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






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






36. 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






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






38. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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