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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 formal - often pompous - speech






2. Words which evoke sorrow






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






4. A type of pun where the use of a word modifies two or more words - but used for different meanings (On the fishing trip - he caught three trout and a cold.)






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






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






7. The recreation of regional spoken language






8. Sentences - or parts of a sentence with similar structure






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






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






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






12. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






13. A formal argument that consists of a major premise - a minor one - and a conclusion






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






15. Contrasting words placed together for effect






16. A detail - image - or character type that occurs frequently in myth and literature - thought to appeal to the unconscious






17. A sermon or moralistic lecture






18. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






20. A short witty statement






21. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






23. Exaggeration






24. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






25. An overused expression






26. Emotional response of the reader






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






28. The underlying message






29. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






32. A formal speech praising one who has died






33. Change and growth of the character






34. When the story begins






35. A particularly clever extended metaphor






36. Word order or organization






37. Events that take place before the story begins






38. An unexpected outcome






39. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






42. Dictionary definition of a word






43. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






44. A numbered list






45. Same beginning sound






46. Clues that tip the reader off as to What is to come later in the work






47. A mistake in reasoning






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






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






50. A story that functions on the symbolic level






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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