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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 metaphor embedded in a sentence rather than expressed directly as a sentence






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






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






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






5. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






7. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






8. 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






9. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






11. A parody of traditional epic form






12. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line. the pattern is called scansion. if a verse doesn't 'scan' its meter is irregular






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






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






15. A familiar grouping of words - especially words that habitually appear together and thereby convey meaning by association






16. The origin or derivation of a word






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






18. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






20. A forceful sermon - lecture or tirade






21. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






22. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






23. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is






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






25. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






27. 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






28. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






30. 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






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






32. 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






33. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






34. One independent clause and no dependent clause






35. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






40. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose






41. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






44. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






45. 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






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






47. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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