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






2. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






3. 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






4. 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






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






7. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






8. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






9. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






10. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






18. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






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






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






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






22. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






24. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






25. An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject






26. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem






27. Issues a comand






28. Word choice characterized by simple - often one or two syllable nouns - adjectives - and adverbs






29. A phrase - idea or event that through representation serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






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






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






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






33. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






34. The pattern of rhymes within a given poems






35. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






36. 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






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






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






39. A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. A false name or alias used by writers






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






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