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. A sermon or moralistic lecture






2. 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.)






3. An overused expression






4. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






7. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






9. Same beginning sound






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






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






12. Words - phrases - ideas placed side by side for effect






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






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






15. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






17. A moment of great revelation






18. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






19. An inscription on a tombstone






20. Direct contrast or opposite






21. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






22. Emotional definition of a word






23. Technical - specialized language






24. An unexpected outcome






25. Time and place of a story






26. A comparison using like or as






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






28. A formal - often pompous - speech






29. A numbered list






30. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






32. Dictionary definition of a word






33. Where the audience knows more than the character






34. Direct contrast or opposite






35. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






36. Word order or organization






37. A story that functions on the symbolic level






38. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






39. Change and growth of the character






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






41. Events that take place before the story begins






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






43. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






45. Word choice






46. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






48. A short witty statement






49. A political comment through the use of humor






50. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story