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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. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






2. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






3. A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






4. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






5. 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






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






7. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






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






9. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






10. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






12. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






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






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






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






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






18. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






19. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






20. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






21. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






24. 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






25. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






29. 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






30. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






31. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque






32. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words - shapes ideas - forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas






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






34. A metaphor embedded in a sentence rather than expressed directly as a sentence






35. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic couplet






36. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






37. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






38. 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






39. When the infinitive is interrupted with another word - typically an adverb or adverbial phrase






40. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






41. 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






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






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






44. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






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






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






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






49. 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






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