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






2. A comparison using like or as






3. Same beginning sound






4. Events that take place before the story begins






5. A conclusion drawn from presented details






6. An unexpected outcome






7. A conclusion that can be arrived at without any observations of the world - but relies only on logical connections between ideas






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






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






10. A device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts - events - episodes






11. Dictionary definition of a word






12. A story that functions on the symbolic level






13. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






14. A direct comparison






15. A play on words that are identical or similar in sounds but differ in meaning






16. Ashort account of an interesting or humorous incident - intended to illustrate or support some point






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






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






19. Words which evoke sorrow






20. Technical - specialized language






21. A political comment through the use of humor






22. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






24. A particularly clever extended metaphor






25. A comic imitation that ridicules the original. It can be mocking or gently humorous






26. Unexpected outcome in the plot






27. A rhetorical strategy that attacks the person rather than the idea






28. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






30. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






32. A part is used to represent the whole (crown=king)






33. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






34. A formal - often pompous - speech






35. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






36. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






37. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






38. Choices a character makes in relation to an obstacle (problem)






39. When the story begins






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






41. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






43. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






45. A moment of great revelation






46. The use of slang in writing






47. Words that create mental pictures






48. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






49. An inscription on a tombstone






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