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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 in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






2. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






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






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






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






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






7. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses or sentences






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






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






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






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






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






13. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






14. 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






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






16. A form of verse usually consisting of three four line units called quatrains and a concluding couplet






17. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






18. 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






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






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






21. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






22. The interpretation or analysis of a text






23. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






24. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






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






28. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term






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






30. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






31. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing






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






33. A device employed in anglo-saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities






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






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






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






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






38. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line






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






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






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






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






43. 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






44. Two or more independent clauses






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






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






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






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






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






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