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






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






3. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm or fixed metrical feet






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






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






7. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






13. A verbal ending in 'ing'_ that functions in a sentence as a noun.






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






15. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






16. A verbal (often preceded by 'to') that functions as a noun adjective or adverb






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






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






19. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






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






21. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






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






23. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






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






26. A noun that renames the subject






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






28. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






29. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






33. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






34. A false name or alias used by writers






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






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