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. Where the audience knows more than the character






2. A comic imitation that ridicules the original. It can be mocking or gently humorous






3. A comparison using like or as






4. A story that functions on the symbolic level






5. Literary - historical - artistic reference






6. An inference that does not follow logically from the premise (literally - does not follow)






7. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






8. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






9. Same ending sounds






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






11. Dictionary definition of a word






12. The underlying message






13. Unexpected outcome in the plot






14. A numbered list






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






16. Emotional definition of a word






17. A mistake in reasoning






18. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






20. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






21. A conclusion drawn from presented details






22. An unexpected outcome






23. Sound words - imitative harmony






24. An inscription on a tombstone






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






26. Same beginning sound






27. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






28. A form of logic that moves from the general to the specific






29. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






30. The use of slang in writing






31. Repetition of vowel sounds






32. Words which evoke sorrow






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






34. Word choice






35. Words that create mental pictures






36. A political comment through the use of humor






37. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






38. Reaching for the sublime - the tone results in the absurd






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






40. Events that take place before the story begins






41. When the reader expects a climax to occur and it doesn't happen






42. A formal - often pompous - speech






43. Time and place of a story






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






45. Technical - specialized language






46. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






47. A moment of great revelation






48. Direct contrast or opposite






49. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






50. Meaning or emotion underneath the words