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Rhetoric Vocab

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. Exaggeration






2. Technical - specialized language






3. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






4. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






5. Attitude the narrator wants the reader to take toward a setting - character - or idea






6. A form a logic that moves from the specific to the general






7. Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences






8. When the reader expects a climax to occur and it doesn't happen






9. Reaching for the sublime - the tone results in the absurd






10. Type of irony in which a person seems to be praising something but actually insulting






11. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






12. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






13. An inference that does not follow logically from the premise (literally - does not follow)






14. A form of logic that moves from the general to the specific






15. Statement that contradicts itself - "the more you learn the less you know"






16. A formal - often pompous - speech






17. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






18. Word order or organization






19. The use of slang in writing






20. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






21. Same ending sounds






22. Literary - historical - artistic reference






23. Direct contrast or opposite






24. Direct contrast or opposite






25. A political comment through the use of humor






26. A comparison using like or as






27. A conclusion drawn from presented details






28. Emotional definition of a word






29. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






30. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






31. Making a situation seem less important or serious than it is






32. Where the audience knows more than the character






33. A story that operates on the symbolic level and teaches a lesson or moral






34. Unexpected outcome in the plot






35. The 'unravelling' or resolution of the story - falling action






36. A numbered list






37. Point of understanding or awakening (not necessarily emotional)






38. The underlying message






39. A sermon or moralistic lecture






40. Form of personification - speaking to an absent or dead person or object as if it is there






41. A mistake in reasoning






42. Dictionary definition of a word






43. Time and place of a story






44. Character whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character






45. A story that functions on the symbolic level






46. The use of a quotation at the beginning of the work which often hints at a theme






47. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






48. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






49. Events that take place before the story begins






50. A particularly clever extended metaphor