Test your basic knowledge |

Rhetoric Vocab

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 device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts - events - episodes






2. Form of personification - speaking to an absent or dead person or object as if it is there






3. Events that take place before the story begins






4. A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is reversed ('Susan walked - and in rushed Mary.')






5. When the story begins






6. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






7. A type of pun where the use of a word modifies two or more words - but used for different meanings (On the fishing trip - he caught three trout and a cold.)






8. A detail - image - or character type that occurs frequently in myth and literature - thought to appeal to the unconscious






9. Exaggeration






10. The use of slang in writing






11. Choices a character makes in relation to an obstacle (problem)






12. Direct contrast or opposite






13. Words which evoke sorrow






14. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






15. A form of personification - only it is not a character in the story






16. A conclusion that can be arrived at without any observations of the world - but relies only on logical connections between ideas






17. Same ending sounds






18. A numbered list






19. An overused expression






20. Statement that contradicts itself - "the more you learn the less you know"






21. Contrasting words placed together for effect






22. Word choice






23. Ashort account of an interesting or humorous incident - intended to illustrate or support some point






24. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






25. Words that create mental pictures






26. A formal - often pompous - speech






27. A sermon or moralistic lecture






28. Unexpected outcome in the plot






29. A part is used to represent the whole (crown=king)






30. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






31. Same beginning sound






32. Technical - specialized language






33. A short witty statement






34. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






35. The recreation of regional spoken language






36. Direct contrast or opposite






37. A play on words that are identical or similar in sounds but differ in meaning






38. The 'unravelling' or resolution of the story - falling action






39. Change and growth of the character






40. Making a situation seem less important or serious than it is






41. A conclusion drawn from presented details






42. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






43. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






44. Character whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character






45. Literary - historical - artistic reference






46. A comparison using like or as






47. Dictionary definition of a word






48. Point of understanding or awakening (not necessarily emotional)






49. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






50. Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences