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 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






2. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






3. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation






4. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. 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






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






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






17. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances






18. 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






19. A device employed in anglo-saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities






20. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






22. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






24. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






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






26. A parody of traditional epic form






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






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






29. deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient greek and roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity and restraint






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






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






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






33. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






36. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack or ridicule an idea - vice or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






37. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






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






40. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






41. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






43. A verse with five poetic feet per line






44. A verbal ending in 'ing'_ that functions in a sentence as a noun.






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






46. A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero






47. 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






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






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






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