Test your basic knowledge |

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. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits






2. A familiar grouping of words - especially words that habitually appear together and thereby convey meaning by association






3. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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






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






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






8. 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






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






10. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words






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






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






13. A noun that renames the subject






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






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






16. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






17. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






18. 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






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






20. A term often used as a synonym for realism; also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic






21. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






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






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






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






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






27. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






28. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme or some other plan






29. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






30. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways especially when one meaning is risque






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






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






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






34. The main character in a work of literature






35. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






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






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






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






40. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






41. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






42. A french verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






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






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






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






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






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






49. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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