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






2. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






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






6. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






7. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing






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






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






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






11. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






13. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or non-human objects






14. 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






15. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer or the world at large






16. 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






17. One in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale.






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






19. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






20. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






24. 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






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






26. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






32. 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






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






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






35. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often marked by punctuation






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






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






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






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






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






41. A term used to describe literary forms such as novel - play and essay






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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