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Literary And Rhetorical Vocab

Subject : english
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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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 return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances






2. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






3. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






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






9. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






11. 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






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






13. 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






14. deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient greek and roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity and restraint






15. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first person pronouns such as I and we






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






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






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






19. A false name or alias used by writers






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






21. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






22. 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






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






24. A subordinate or minor collection of events in an novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






25. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character






26. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






27. 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






28. 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






29. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






30. Two or more independent clauses






31. A parody of traditional epic form






32. A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface






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






34. A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero






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






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






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






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






39. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






42. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






43. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






44. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work--the spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






46. An adjective that follows a linking verb






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






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






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






50. A story containing unreal - imaginary features