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. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






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






4. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme or some other plan






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






6. The emotional tone in a work of literature






7. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






8. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






9. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing






10. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






11. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






12. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






13. A german word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






14. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words - shapes ideas - forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas






15. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject






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






17. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






18. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations






19. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular syntax or pattern of words






20. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






22. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






23. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part - also when the name of a material stands for the thing itself






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






25. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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






28. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work






29. A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn






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






31. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






33. A verbal (often preceded by 'to') that functions as a noun adjective or adverb






34. A term often used as a synonym for realism; also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic






35. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






36. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






37. A parody of traditional epic form






38. Language that describes specific - observable things






39. Literally 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






40. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






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






43. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






44. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






45. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet






46. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. contrast with denotation






47. A sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses






48. The origin or derivation of a word






49. A sentence with two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses






50. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality