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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 word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






3. Direct contrast or opposite






4. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






5. Direct contrast or opposite






6. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






8. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






9. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






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






12. Making something sound nicer than it is; candy-coated words






13. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






14. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






16. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






19. Same beginning sound






20. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






22. The underlying message






23. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






25. Where the audience knows more than the character






26. The use of slang in writing






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






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






29. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






31. The answer to a question






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






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






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






35. An overused expression






36. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






37. Word order or organization






38. Same ending sounds






39. Emotional definition of a word






40. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






42. When the story begins






43. An inscription on a tombstone






44. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






45. An unexpected outcome






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






47. A short witty statement






48. Time and place of a story






49. A formal - often pompous - speech






50. A formal speech praising one who has died