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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. An adjective that follows a linking verb






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






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






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






5. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of english sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end. in other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support






6. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






7. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






10. 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






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






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






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






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






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






16. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






19. 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






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






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






22. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






23. One independent clause and no dependent clause






24. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






26. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






27. A figure of speech whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity






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






29. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often marked by punctuation






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






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






32. 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






33. Grating - inharmonious sounds






34. 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






35. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






37. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines of a poem






38. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






39. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular syntax or pattern of words






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






41. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject






42. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






43. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






45. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






47. 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






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






49. 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






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