Vocab Test 1

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

when the author makes a reference to another person, place or event in history or to another character in the story.

Question 2

Analogy

Answer 2

the author draws a comparison to provide clarity or reasoning through example

Question 3

Anecdote

Answer 3

the author tells a story (usually humorous and for moral purposes)

Question 4

Antagonist

Answer 4

the character who tries to prevent the protagonist from achieving his/her goal.

Question 5

Antecedent Action

Answer 5

events that have transpired prior to the beginning of the story. Characters often subtly allude to them. By the end of a novel, the reader will piece the clues together to form a conclusion.

Question 6

Aside

Answer 6

when a character on stage speaks his/her thoughts out loud while other characters are present; It’s assumed that the other characters can’t hear it.

Question 7

Couplet

Answer 7

two lines of poetry in which there is both rhyme (last 2 words of each line rhyme) and rhythm (same number of beats).

Question 8

Denouement

Answer 8

conclusion

Question 9

Deus ex Machina

Answer 9

“god from a machine”; point in story where something appears (as if from heavens) to save hero

Question 10

Dynamic Character

Answer 10

undergoes a change in his actions, personality, thoughts, beliefs, etc.

Question 11

Epiphany

Answer 11

sudden moment of understanding and enlightenment

Question 12

Exposition

Answer 12

introduction

Question 13

Flat Character

Answer 13

minor character; undeveloped and used soley for moving plot along

Question 14

Foil

Answer 14

Two distinctly opposed characters used to accentuate the good and bad of each.

Question 15

Foot

Answer 15

tool of measurement in a line of poetry

Question 16

Foreshadow

Answer 16

subtle hints to the future outcome in the story

Question 17

Hyperbole

Answer 17

exaggeration

Question 18

Iambic Pentameter

Answer 18

iamb = foot of poetry in which there is a weak followed with a strong beat. Pentameter = five iambs in one line of poetry. (rhythm used predominantly in Shakespeare)

Question 19

Irony

Answer 19

verbal - opposite of what is meant is said
situational - opposite of what you expect occurs
dramatic - the audience knows something the character(s) do not

Question 20

Juxtaposition

Answer 20

two ideas are placed side by side for sake of comparison

Question 21

metaphor

Answer 21

direct comparison

Question 22

paradox

Answer 22

any person, thing or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature

Question 23

Pathetic Fallacy

Answer 23

when environment mirrors the thoughts, feeling of a character or society.

Question 24

Persona

Answer 24

speaker within a poem

Question 25

Personification

Answer 25

giving non-human items human characteristics

Question 26

First Person POV

Answer 26

perspective where “i” is used

Question 27

Omniscient POV

Answer 27

story told from perspective of all characters (audience knows all the characters thoughts, etc.)

Question 28

Limited Omniscient POV

Answer 28

perspective of one character (audience only knows that characters thoughts and feelings)

Question 29

Camera View POV

Answer 29

story told from an observational POV. Actions/behaviours are visible but not thoughts or feelings unless they tell you.

Question 30

Stream of Consciousness Narration POV

Answer 30

Narrative mode that seeks to portray an individual’s POV by giving the written equivalent of the character’s processes.

Question 31

Protagonist

Answer 31

character who is trying to achieving his/her goal

Question 32

Pun

Answer 32

play on words

Question 33

Rhetoric

Answer 33

tools needed for effective use of language

Question 34

round character

Answer 34

very developed character (usually main). We know everything about this character.

Question 35

Sarcasm

Answer 35

harsh/bitter statement; meant to be cutting

Question 36

Simile

Answer 36

comparison using like or as

Question 37

Soliloquy

Answer 37

speech written in iambic pentameter in which the character on stage reveals thoughts, struggles, feelings, etc. (used lots in Shakespeare)

Question 38

Elizabethan Sonnet

Answer 38

14 lines long; written in iambic pentameter; three 4-line stanzas and a rhyming couplet. The issue/problem is introduced/discussed in the three 4-line stanzas and solution is presented in the rhyming couplet (used in Shakespeare)

Question 39

Petrarchan Sonnet

Answer 39

Italian sonnet; 14 lines long; written in iambic pentameter; 8 line stanzas and a 6 line stanza. The issue/problem is introduced in the eight line stanza (octave), and the solution is provided in the six line stanza (sestet)

Question 40

Stanza

Answer 40

grouping of lines within a poem

Question 41

Static Character

Answer 41

character that remains the same from beginning to end

Question 42

Stock Character

Answer 42

stereotypical character (mad scientist)

Question 43

Theme

Answer 43

overall idea or lesson the story/writing is attempting to make audience aware of

Question 44

Thesis

Answer 44

opinion statement made by a writer which now needs to be proved throughout the remainder of the writing

Question 45

Transition

Answer 45

occurs at the end of each paragraph; concludes that paragraph’s idea and moves reader smoothly into the next paragraph