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






2. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






3. 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






4. 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






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






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






7. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






8. An adjective that follows a linking verb






9. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






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






12. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






13. 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






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






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






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






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






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






19. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






20. 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






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






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






23. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem






24. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work






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






26. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






27. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






28. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






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






30. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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






33. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






34. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






35. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






39. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






41. The main character in a work of literature






42. One in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale.






43. Issues a comand






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






45. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






46. A latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point






47. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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