From practice tests weakest section Flashcards
What is the poem ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’ about?
It’s about Keats experiencing a profound moment of discovery when reading Homer’s works in Chapman’s translation.
Who is John Keats?
Keats was a Romantic poet known for his emotional depth and vivid imagery. He wrote works like ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ and died at 25.
What type of sonnet is ‘On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer’?
It’s a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet.
What are the characteristics of a Petrarchan sonnet?
It has:
* 14 lines
* Octave (ABBAABBA)
* Sestet (CDCDCD or CDECDE)
* A volta between lines 8 and 9.
What is a volta in a sonnet?
A volta is the moment in a sonnet where the tone or idea shifts, typically between the 8th and 9th line in a Petrarchan sonnet.
What is the Romantic period?
The Romantic period was a movement from the late 18th to mid-19th century emphasizing emotion, nature, imagination, and individualism.
What is the Enlightenment?
The Enlightenment was an era focused on reason and logic, emphasizing science, individual rights, and the belief in human progress.
What is ‘ab ovo’?
‘Ab ovo’ refers to a narrative that starts from the beginning and follows a linear progression.
What is ‘in medias res’?
‘In medias res’ is when a narrative begins in the middle of the action, revealing backstory later.
What is ‘stream of consciousness’?
‘Stream of consciousness’ is a narrative technique that presents a character’s thoughts in a continuous flow.
What is an ‘unreliable narrator’?
An unreliable narrator is a storyteller whose credibility is compromised, leading readers to question the truth of the narrative.
What is the main message of George Washington’s ‘Farewell Address’ (1796)?
Washington advised against foreign alliances and political factions, urging unity and neutrality.
What is Faust lamenting in the opening monologue of Faust, Part 1?
Faust expresses his existential crisis, feeling unfulfilled despite his knowledge and accomplishments.
What is ‘Common Sense’ by Thomas Paine about?
‘Common Sense’ argues for American independence from Britain, promoting self-governance and criticizing loyalty to Britain.
What is Deus ex Machina?
Deus ex Machina is a plot device where an unexpected force resolves a situation, often seen as a lazy resolution.
What is Formalism in literary theory?
Formalism focuses on the structure, style, and language of a text, disregarding the author’s biography and historical context.
What is Circular Logic?
Circular Logic is a flawed reasoning where the conclusion is assumed in the premise, failing to provide actual proof.
What is a Red Herring?
A Red Herring is a distraction introduced to divert attention from the main issue.
What are the steps for analyzing poetry during the exam?
- Read the Poem Carefully
- Identify Basic Elements
- Focus on Figurative Language
- Determine Tone and Mood
- Identify the Theme
What is American Literature?
Focuses on themes of individualism, freedom, and cultural diversity, often reflecting the American experience.
What is Indian Literature?
Rich in mythology, philosophical exploration, spirituality, and stories rooted in religion, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism.
What is Chinese Literature?
Emphasizes Confucian ideals, historical narratives, and a deep connection with nature. Major works often include poetry and classical texts.
What is Japanese Literature?
Centered on nature, simplicity, and beauty, with themes of impermanence and human relationships. Often includes haiku and narrative prose.
What is Arabic Literature?
Known for its storytelling, rich poetic forms, philosophical thought, and a significant focus on religious and cultural themes.
What is Postcolonial Literature?
Explores themes of colonization, cultural identity, displacement, and resistance, often from the perspective of those affected by colonialism.
What is Homeric Greece? (c. 850 BCE)
Focus on epic poetry, such as The Iliad and The Odyssey, and mythological themes about heroes and the gods.
What is Classical Greece? (900-100 BCE)
Emphasized philosophy, drama, and oratory, with major figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle influencing Western thought.
What is the Medieval Period? (1066-1450)
Literature dominated by religious themes, chivalric romance, and the feudal system. Major works include Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales.
What is the Renaissance? (1485-1603)
A period of ‘rebirth,’ focusing on humanism, classical antiquity, and the flourishing of art and literature. Notable figures include Shakespeare and Spenser.
What is the Elizabethan Age? (1558-1603)
A sub-period of the Renaissance, known for the rise of drama and poetry, particularly under Queen Elizabeth I. Shakespeare was a prominent figure.
What is the Neoclassical Period? (1660-1798)
An age of reason, order, and balance, influenced by the Enlightenment. Major writers include Alexander Pope and John Dryden, focusing on clarity and rationality.
What is the Romantic Age? (1798-1860)
An emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism, reacting against the rationalism of the previous era. Major figures include Wordsworth and Coleridge.
What is the Victorian Period? (1832-1900)
Focused on social reform, morality, and realism, reflecting the complexities of 19th-century England. Prominent writers include Charles Dickens and Tennyson.
What is the Modern Period? (1900-1950)
Characterized by disillusionment, experimentation in form and content, and a sense of fragmentation in response to the world wars. Key figures include T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf.
What is Postmodernism? (1960-present)
A reaction against modernism, marked by fragmentation, skepticism, irony, and the questioning of established truths. Notable authors include Thomas Pynchon and Kurt Vonnegut.
What are the basics of structure and content in non-fiction texts?
Non-fiction texts are structured to convey factual information, including a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, with features like headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
How is structure used in print and visual media?
Print media uses traditional text formatting (paragraphs, sections) while visual media incorporates elements like images, charts, or videos.
What is information overload in non-fiction texts?
Information overload occurs when a text presents too much data or complex ideas without proper organization.
How do non-literary documents fit into context?
Non-literary documents should be analyzed in their historical, cultural, or social context.
What is an example of a non-literary text?
Examples include newspaper articles, scientific reports, advertisements, or instructional manuals.
What are the five steps in the writing process?
- Prewriting
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
How do you write an essay?
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Conclusion
What are visual aids and multimedia used in writing?
Visual aids (graphs, charts, images) and multimedia (videos, slides) enhance the message by making information easier to understand.
How do you use examples in writing?
Examples clarify abstract ideas, provide evidence, and make arguments more convincing.
What are key research strategies and techniques?
- Planning
- Finding Sources
- Evaluating
How do you identify appropriate sources for research?
Consider the source’s authority, accuracy, purpose, and relevance.
How do you cite sources in your research?
Use appropriate citation styles (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) to give credit to authors.
What is integrating research into your writing?
Integrating research means weaving in quotes, paraphrases, or summaries from sources directly into your text.
What is the Works Cited or Bibliography?
A list of all the sources you referenced in your work, formatted according to the appropriate citation style.
When to use MLA Style?
Humanities (Literature, Philosophy, Art)
When to use APA Style?
Social Sciences (Psychology, Education, Business)
When to use Chicago/Turabian Style?
History, Arts, Humanities
What is Anagnorisis?
A moment of realization by a tragic hero/heroine that they are enmeshed in a ‘web of fate’—a tragic insight or recognition.
What is Catharsis?
An emotional release experienced by the audience.
What does Hamartia refer to?
A tragic error (not just a flaw); originally an archery term meaning a missed shot.
Define Hubris.
Arrogant overstepping of moral/cultural bounds—violent transgression by a hero who over-presumes or over-aspires.
What is Mimesis?
Art reflecting the real world—human behavior, nature, society, and order.
What does Nemesis mean in a tragic context?
Cosmic punishment or retribution that a tragic hero receives for committing hubristic acts.
What is Peripeteia?
A turning point in the plot where the hero’s status changes from safe to endangered.
What does Spectacle refer to in a dramatic play?
The visual elements of a dramatic play.
What are the three degrees of relative adjectives?
Positive, comparative, and superlative.
What does the learning approach to language development assume?
Language is first learned by imitating the speech of adults and solidified through drills about the rules of language structures.
What is the linguistic approach to language development?
Proposes that the ability to use language is innate and is a biological approach.
What does the cognitive approach to language development state?
Children must develop appropriate cognitive skills before they can acquire language.
What does the socio-cognitive approach to language development propose?
Language development is a complex interaction of linguistic, social, and cognitive influences.
How does Hegel define tragedy compared to Aristotle?
Hegel defines tragedy as a dynamic conflict of opposite forces or rights, while Aristotle focused on character and plot.
What is an example of Hegel’s tragic conflict in literature?
In Sophocles’ Antigone, the main character experiences a tragic conflict between her public duties and her family responsibilities.
Name some commonly used literary theories.
- Postcolonial theory
- Gender and feminist theory
- Structuralism
- New historicism
- Reader-response theory
- Sociological criticism
Why is it important to understand logical conclusions in an informational text?
It helps readers determine whether they agree with the writer by combining text information with prior knowledge.
What steps should a reader take to evaluate an argument in an informational text?
Identify the argument’s conclusion, identify the premises, paraphrase premises, list premises, identify unstated assumptions, evaluate support of premises.
What is a direct object in a sentence?
A noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of the verb.
What is an indirect object in a sentence?
A noun or pronoun indicating to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed.
What is the key difference between a direct object and an indirect object?
A direct object directly receives the action, while an indirect object indicates to whom or for whom the action is done.
Identify the direct and indirect objects in the sentence: ‘He sent his sister a letter.’
Indirect object: ‘his sister’; Direct object: ‘a letter’.
What is the purpose of a running record in assessing students?
An informal assessment used to identify what students can do in reading, determining their reading level and comprehension.
How does a teacher conduct a running record assessment?
The teacher listens to a student reading aloud, marks a copy of the text for errors, and has the student repeat missed lines.
What does it mean if a student reads at the ‘independent’ level in a running record?
The student correctly reads 95 percent of the words, meaning they can read the text on their own.
What does it mean if a student reads at the ‘instructional’ level in a running record?
The student correctly reads 90-94 percent of the words, meaning they can read the text with teacher assistance.
What does it mean if a student reads at the ‘frustration’ level in a running record?
The student correctly reads 89 percent or fewer words, indicating the text may be too difficult.
What is the reading continuum in the context of a running record?
The group of assessment levels (independent, instructional, frustration) indicating a student’s reading ability.
What is apophasis?
A rhetorical device where a speaker brings up a subject by denying that it should be brought up.
What is the purpose of using apophasis in communication?
To indirectly draw attention to a topic while maintaining plausible deniability.
Give an example of apophasis in a sentence.
‘I will not speak of my opponent’s numerous scandals.’
How might apophasis be used in literature or a speech?
To subtly criticize or highlight something without directly addressing it.
