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Test your basic knowledge |
Literary And Rhetorical Vocab
Start Test
Study First
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 adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing
burlesque
epithet
kenning
rhetoric
2. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term
euphemism
light verse
epic
personification
3. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots
tragedy
pulp fiction
verse
ellipsis
4. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated
innuendo
carpe diem
analogy
metonymy
5. An indirect or subtle - usually derogatory implication in expression - an insinuation
sentimental
denotation
innuendo
caesura
6. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose
novel of manners
euphony
pathos
farce
7. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque
caesura
verbal irony
syntax
double entendre
8. A form of verse usually consisting of three four line units called quatrains and a concluding couplet
falling action
bombast
sonnet
apostrophe
9. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects
abstract
extended metaphor
mock epic
etymology
10. A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn
fable
connotation
litotes
pastoral
11. The interpretation or analysis of a text
antagonist
genre
explication
old english
12. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places
abstract language
epic
cliche
romance
13. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words
metaphor
colloquial
infinitive
verbal irony
14. A subordinate or minor collection of events in an novel or play - usually connected to the main plot
subplot
loose sentence
mock epic
myth
15. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place
enjambment
idyll
sarcasm
classical - classicism
16. Sentence with interrogative pronouns
abstract
verbal irony
romance
interrogative sentence
17. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. contrast with denotation
pastoral
connotation
mood
tone
18. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry
rhyme
first person narrative
adage
pastoral
19. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect
oxymoron
simile
eponymous
old english
20. Grating - inharmonious sounds
metaphor
cacaphony
frame
classic
21. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning
sentimental
onomatopoeia
scan
implied metaphor
22. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects
humanism
bombast
anglo-saxon diction
montage
23. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general
belle-lettres
theme
epigram
rhyme scheme
24. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict
falling action
wit
allusion
persona
25. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death
loose sentence
pun
hubris
antithesis
26. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work
bibliography
agreement
protagonist
subtext
27. A sentence with two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses
metaphor
compound-complex sentence
rhythm
pulp fiction
28. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses or sentences
split infinitives
exposition
compound-complex sentence
antithesis
29. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry
wit
prosody
mood
anachronism
30. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature
quatrain
simile
fantasy
annotation
31. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language
anachronism
canon
ottava rima
conceit
32. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality
onomatopoeia
bathos
dionysian
exposition
33. in literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
roman a clef
deus ex machina
metonymy
scan
34. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; less subtle than irony
cliche
sarcasm
empathy
synecdoche
35. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD
canon
middle english
couplet
climax
36. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character
connotation
title character
compound-complex sentence
quatrain
37. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust
synecdoche
irony
bibliography
light verse
38. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity
prosody
rhyme
cliche
litotes
39. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet
tone
analogy
mood
couplet
40. An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject
assonance
conceit
rhythm
parody
41. A sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
classical - classicism
ode
complex sentence
mood
42. A forceful sermon - lecture or tirade
narrative
anglo-saxon diction
harangue
aphorism
43. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased
foot
in medias res
indirect quotation
abstract language
44. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy
montage
omniscient narrator
empathy
catharsis
45. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings
rhetorical stance
analogy
expose
myth
46. A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value
idyll
verse
cacaphony
elegy
47. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words - shapes ideas - forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas
metaphysical poetry
simple sentence
style
fantasy
48. A term often used as a synonym for realism; also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic
infinitive
naturalism
metaphysical poetry
pastoral
49. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person
explication
annotation
pun
empathy
50. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation
lampoon
complex sentence
predicate adjective
in medias res