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 metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






2. When the story begins






3. Type of irony in which a person seems to be praising something but actually insulting






4. Exaggeration






5. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






7. An overused expression






8. A story that operates on the symbolic level and teaches a lesson or moral






9. Time and place of a story






10. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






11. Words that create mental pictures






12. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






13. A direct comparison






14. A formal speech praising one who has died






15. A formal argument that consists of a major premise - a minor one - and a conclusion






16. The recreation of regional spoken language






17. Emotional response of the reader






18. Technical - specialized language






19. Literary devices that enable an author to operate on levels other than the literal (simile - metaphor - etc)






20. A form a logic that moves from the specific to the general






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






22. A comparison using like or as






23. Literary - historical - artistic reference






24. Words - phrases - ideas placed side by side for effect






25. Change and growth of the character






26. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






27. Same beginning sound






28. Direct contrast or opposite






29. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






30. Attitude the narrator wants the reader to take toward a setting - character - or idea






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






32. Emotional definition of a word






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






34. Sentences - or parts of a sentence with similar structure






35. The use of a quotation at the beginning of the work which often hints at a theme






36. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






37. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






40. Repetition of vowel sounds






41. A mistake in reasoning






42. Clues that tip the reader off as to What is to come later in the work






43. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






45. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






46. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






47. A political comment through the use of humor






48. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






50. A rhetorical strategy that attacks the person rather than the idea