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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 statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






2. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






3. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






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






5. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






6. An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject






7. A work of literature dealing with rural life






8. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






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






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






11. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






12. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






13. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






15. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






16. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that causes the hero considerable anguish






17. The origin or derivation of a word






18. A verse with five poetic feet per line






19. One independent clause and no dependent clause






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






21. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






22. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






23. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation






24. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






25. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






26. 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






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






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






29. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






32. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






34. A french verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






35. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity






36. 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






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






38. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






39. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. it includes time - place - historical milieu and social - political and even spiritual circumstances






40. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer or the world at large






41. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






43. Issues a comand






44. A parody of traditional epic form






45. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem






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






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






48. 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






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






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