Test your basic knowledge |

Literary And Rhetorical Vocab

Subject : english
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. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






4. The dictionary definition of a word. contrast with connotation






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






6. in literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






7. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






8. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






9. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






10. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






11. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






13. The main idea isn't completed until the end of the sentence






14. A synonym for poetry. also - a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






15. A noun that renames the subject






16. A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface






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






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






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






20. Language or dialect of a particular country - Language of a clan or group - Plain everyday speech






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






22. A figure of speech whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity






23. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






24. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






25. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses or sentences






26. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects - without using like or as






27. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






28. A phrase - idea or event that through representation serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






29. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem






30. Grating - inharmonious sounds






31. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






33. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is






34. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD






35. A novel focusing on and describing social customs and habits of a particular social group






36. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text






38. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






40. Word choice characterized by simple - often one or two syllable nouns - adjectives - and adverbs






41. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term






42. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






43. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






44. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






45. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






48. A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






49. Two or more independent clauses






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