Summer Vocab pt. 1

Question 1

Metaphor

Answer 1

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable; an implied comparison not using “like” or “as”.
ex. It is raining cats and dogs.

Question 2

Alliteration

Answer 2

Literary device that reflects repetition in two or more nearby words of initial consonant sound.
ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Question 3

Pun

Answer 3

A joking phrase exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.
ex. You insisted on being right so I decided to go left.

Question 4

Personification

Answer 4

Giving human-like qualities or personal nature to something not human.
ex. The lightning danced across the night sky.

Question 5

Simile

Answer 5

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
ex. Your eyes are as green as the grass.

Question 6

Hyperbole

Answer 6

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
ex. I would never do that, go jump off a cliff.

Question 7

Onomatopoeia

Answer 7

The creation of a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.
ex. buzz, meow, snap.

Question 8

Assonance

Answer 8

The repetition of identical, similar vowel sounds, or stressed syllables near enough to echo; create internal rhyming.
ex. Who knows why the cold wind blows or where it goes, or what it knows.

Question 9

Oxymoron

Answer 9

Rhetorical device when two unlike terms are grouped together to suggest a paradox.
ex. Deafening silence

Question 10

Paradox

Answer 10

A statement that self-contradicts itself, but when explained may prove to be true.
ex. Less is more.

Question 11

Allusion

Answer 11

An indirect reference designed to call something to the reader’s mind without mentioning anything explicitly.
ex. Everyone refers to Cathy as another Mother Teresa in the making.

Question 12

Imagery

Answer 12

Visually descriptive language used to create “mental images” for the reader.
ex. The trees rustled as the wind whistled gently through the leaves.

Question 13

Irony

Answer 13

The literal meaning of the word is different than the implied meaning given by the sentence.
ex. The police officer getting arrested.

Question 14

Satire

Answer 14

Use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to reveal a critical attitude toward some element of life; intended for some humorous effect.
ex. Most political cartoons.

Question 15

Symbol

Answer 15

A mark or character used to represent something else entirely.
ex. Nike ‘swoosh’ symbol resembling the brand

Question 16

Symbolism

Answer 16

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

ex. Piggy’s glasses in LOTF are a symbol of wisdom.

Question 17

Litotes

Answer 17

Ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.
ex. He’s not that old, he only turned 99.

Question 18

Paraphrase

Answer 18

To formulate another’s words or ideas in your own words.

ex. the text saying “Oh Lord, please help me!” -> paraphrase - He asked the Lord to help him.

Question 19

Prosody

Answer 19

The patterns of rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech or sounds within poetry or language.
ex. She is a great singer (can be spoken either with conviction believable or sarcastically as if she is not).

Question 20

Euphemism

Answer 20

The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for an expression that would otherwise be offensive or unpleasant.
ex. Late grandparent/ passed away - rather than died

Question 21

Colloquialism

Answer 21

Local dialect expression; common saying in specific region that is not formal.
ex. aint (American), bloody hell (British), blunger (Australian)

Question 22

Anaphora

Answer 22

Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning or phrases or clauses in a row.
ex. You cannot begin, You cannot understand, You cannot even believe.

Question 23

Asyndeton

Answer 23

Eliminating conjunctions like “and” or “but.” This rhetorical device works to make a speech more dramatic and effective by speeding up its rhythm and pace.
ex. I came. I saw. I conquered.

Question 24

Metonymy

Answer 24

A figure of speech that uses an attribute of a related word or object to replace the actual word or object.
ex. She fought for her right at the crown.

Question 25

Characterization

Answer 25

A process through which an author reveals a character’s personality.
ex. Getting to know the main characters through what they do, say, look like.

Question 26

Parallelism

Answer 26

A component of literary style in both prose and poetry, in which coordinate ideas are arranged in phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balance one element with another of equal importance and similar wording.
ex. I like to jog, bake, paint, and watch movies.

Question 27

Parody

Answer 27

A literary or musical work in which the style of the author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.
ex. Shrek, Austin Powers

Question 28

Fable

Answer 28

A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.
ex. The Tortoise and the Hare, the Lorax

Question 29

Anecdote

Answer 29

Short accounts of a real event told in the form of a very brief story; Their effect is often to create an emotional or sympathetic response.
ex. We have all had embarrassing moments - one time I accidentally ___ - story is illustrating the point.

Question 30

Archetypical

Answer 30

Representing an original type after which all things of the same type are copies of.
ex. The lover

Question 31

Apostrophes

Answer 31

(‘) Marks to indicate possession or omission of letters or numbers.
ex. Jim’s bright eyes, the 80’s

Question 32

Infer

Answer 32

To derive a conclusion from evidence and reasoning rather than facts and statements.
ex. The dog was put outside because he was the only one home when the bed was torn to shreds.

Question 33

Interpret

Answer 33

To explain or tell the meaning of actions or behaviors; have significant meaning.
ex. The mother interpreted the child’s lack of interest in the outdoors that he would never be a camping expert.

Question 34

Summarize

Answer 34

Giving a brief statement of key points.

ex. The summary of a text.

Question 35

Analysis

Answer 35

Examination or interpretation of elements.

ex. The lab analysis concluded his fingerprints were at the scene of the crime.

Question 36

Syntax

Answer 36

The set of rules that determines the arrangement of words in a sentence; used to convey meaning of a text.
ex. subject + verb + direct object formula “Jillian hit the ball.”

Question 37

Prose

Answer 37

Ordinary spoken or written language without meter.

ex. it was great, it was wonderful

Question 38

Tragic Flaw

Answer 38

The flaw of a character that leads to the downfall of the hero.
ex. Achilles’ heel