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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. The main character in a work of literature






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






3. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations






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






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






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






7. An adjective that follows a linking verb






8. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






10. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






11. A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero






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






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






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






15. Grating - inharmonious sounds






16. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






17. 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






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






19. 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






20. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






22. Ordinary or familiar - used to describe diction






23. The interpretation or analysis of a text






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






25. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






26. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






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






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






29. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






30. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






31. 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






32. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry






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






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






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






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






37. A metaphor embedded in a sentence rather than expressed directly as a sentence






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






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






40. A complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows






41. A false name or alias used by writers






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






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






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






45. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






46. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






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






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






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







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