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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. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






3. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






4. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry






5. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






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






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






9. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background and all other elements of the story






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






11. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






15. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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






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






19. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






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






21. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






22. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






24. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






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






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






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






28. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






30. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






32. 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






33. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






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






36. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






38. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






40. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






41. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






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






43. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of english sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end. in other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support






44. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






45. French for a novel in which historical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






46. Language that describes specific - observable things






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






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






49. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






50. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action and resolution