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. A work of literature dealing with rural life






2. One of the ancient greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






3. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem






4. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






6. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






7. One in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale.






8. A humorous play on words - using similar sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






9. The depiction of people - things and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect






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






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






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






13. The correspondence of a verb with its subject in person and number and of a pronoun with its antecedent in person - number - and gender






14. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances






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






16. A sentence that follows the customary word order of english sentences - ie subject verb object. the main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






17. A term used to describe literary forms such as novel - play and essay






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






19. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






20. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






21. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






22. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; less subtle than irony






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






24. The main character in a work of literature






25. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque






26. Two or more independent clauses






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






28. 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






29. When the infinitive is interrupted with another word - typically an adverb or adverbial phrase






30. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






31. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






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






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






35. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack or ridicule an idea - vice or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






38. A complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows






39. Issues a comand






40. A forceful sermon - lecture or tirade






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






42. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






43. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile and metaphor






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






45. The interpretation or analysis of a text






46. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






47. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






49. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






50. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language