Test your basic knowledge |

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. Words that create mental pictures






2. Making something sound nicer than it is; candy-coated words






3. Repetition of vowel sounds






4. The underlying message






5. Time and place of a story






6. A story that functions on the symbolic level






7. Unexpected outcome in the plot






8. A particularly clever extended metaphor






9. A mistake in reasoning






10. A moment of great revelation






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






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






13. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






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






16. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






18. Direct contrast or opposite






19. A numbered list






20. Contrasting words placed together for effect






21. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






22. A comparison using like or as






23. An unexpected outcome






24. Emotional definition of a word






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






26. Emotional response of the reader






27. Technical - specialized language






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






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






30. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






31. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






34. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






36. Events that take place before the story begins






37. A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is reversed ('Susan walked - and in rushed Mary.')






38. Dictionary definition of a word






39. A sermon or moralistic lecture






40. A direct comparison






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






42. Literary devices that enable an author to operate on levels other than the literal (simile - metaphor - etc)






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






44. Word order or organization






45. The recreation of regional spoken language






46. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






47. A form of personification - only it is not a character in the story






48. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






49. The use of slang in writing






50. A conclusion drawn from presented details