WorksheetsLiterary Terms and Techniques Quiz
Total questions: 43
Worksheet time: 22mins
What is an ALLEGORY in literary terms?
A brief story told to illustrate a point or serve as an example
A comparison made between two things to show how they are alike
A story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities
A central character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes
What does ALLITERATION refer to in literature?
The repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds
The repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together
A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life
What is the purpose of AMBIGUITY in a work of literature?
To deliberately suggest two or more different, sometimes conflicting, meanings
To compare two things to show how they are alike
To repeat a word, phrase, or clause for emphasis
To call out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person
What is an ANECDOTE in literary terms?
A story or poem with characters and events that represent other things
A brief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example
A comparison between two things to show their similarities
A central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities
What does ANAPHORA refer to in literature?
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together
The repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row
A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life
A story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities
What is an APHORISM?
A brief story used to illustrate a point
A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life
The repetition of similar vowel sounds in closely placed words
A comparison made between two things to show how they are alike
What is the literary term for the repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds in closely placed words?
Alliteration
Anaphora
Aphorism
Assonance
What does the term "BALANCE" refer to in literature?
The equal distribution of wealth among characters in a story
Constructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length and importance
The resolution of a conflict between opposing forces in a story
The emotional stability of a character
What is an INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION?
When the author tells the reader what the character is like directly
When the author reveals the personality of a character by describing what the character looks and dresses like
When the author reveals the personality of a character by showing how the character feels and behaves
When the author lists the character's traits in the form of a bullet-pointed list
Which of the following best describes a STATIC CHARACTER?
A character that grows and develops throughout the story
A character that has only one or two personality traits and does not change much
A character that is complex and has many dimensions to their personality
A character that is often used for comedic effect
What is a CLICHÉ in literature?
A unique phrase that becomes popular due to its originality
A metaphor that is used to compare two very similar things
A word or phrase, often a figure of speech, that has become lifeless because of overuse
A complex literary device that involves the use of irony and satire
What is the difference between EXTERNAL CONFLICT and INTERNAL CONFLICT?
External conflict is between a person and society, while internal conflict is between a person and nature
External conflict is between two people, while internal conflict is between a person and a machine
External conflict is between two people, while internal conflict is within a person's mind
There is no difference; both terms refer to the same type of conflict
What is the purpose of a DIDACTIC work of literature?
To recount the deeds of a heroic character
To teach a specific lesson or moral or provide a model of correct behavior or thinking
To entertain the reader with a humorous story
To describe the characteristics of a certain social group
What is a FABLE?
A long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds
A type of comedy involving ridiculous characters
A very short story told in prose or poetry that teaches a practical lesson about how to succeed in life
A detailed description of a character's features
What is a metaphor?
A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of such specific words of comparison as like, as, than, or resembles.
A figure of speech that uses an incredible exaggeration or overstatement, for effect.
A figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing, is referred to by something closely associated with it.
A form of understatement in which the positive form is emphasized through the negation of a negative form.
What is the purpose of a flashback in a story?
To interrupt the normal chronological sequence of events to depict something that happened at an earlier time.
To use hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot.
To contrast two characters, often a hero and a sidekick or villain.
To create an atmosphere based on the writer's diction and details.
Which of the following best describes dramatic irony?
It occurs when the audience knows something that one or more characters do not.
It is a figure of speech that uses an incredible exaggeration or overstatement.
It is the reversal of the normal word order in a sentence or phrase.
It is a comparison between two unlike things that uses specific words of comparison.
What is the effect of juxtaposition in literature?
It creates an atmosphere based on the writer's diction and details.
It refers to something closely associated with a person, place, or thing.
It places normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases next to one another to create an effect of surprise and wit.
It interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story.
What does a motif in literature do?
It refers to something closely associated with a person, place, or thing.
It creates an atmosphere based on the writer's diction and details.
It is a recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work.
It is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things.
What does the term "ONOMATOPOEIA" refer to in literature?
A figure of speech that makes an explicitly comparison between two unlike things.
The use of words whose sounds echo their sense.
A long speech made by a character in a play while no other characters are on stage.
A fixed idea or conception of a character or an idea which does not allow for any individuality.
Which of the following best defines "PARADOX"?
A relatively short story that teaches a moral or lesson about how to lead a good life.
A statement that appears self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth.
A rise and fall of the voice produced by the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables in language.
A work that makes fun of another work by imitating some aspect of the writer’s style.
What is the "CLIMAX" of a story?
The introduction of characters, situation, and setting.
The repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures.
That point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest.
The series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the storyline.
What is a "RHETORICAL QUESTION"?
A question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring an answer.
A question that introduces characters in conflict and situations.
A question that is answered by the characters in a story.
A question that leads to the climax of a story.
What does "FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW" mean?
When the story is told by an omniscient narrator who knows everything about all characters.
When the story is told by one of the characters in the story.
When the story is told by a narrator who is totally impersonal and objective.
When the story is told by focusing on one character only, often telling us everything about many characters.
Which literary term describes a character's tragic flaw or error that leads to his downfall?
Parable
Protagonist
Hamartia
Rhetoric
What is the term for a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole?
Metaphor
Synecdoche
Simile
Allegory
Which type of poem is usually about mourning and is often about someone who has died?
Ballad
Elegy
Ode
Sonnet
What is the term for unrhymed iambic pentameter?
Free Verse
Blank Verse
Heroic Couplet
Anapestic Tetrameter
What does the term 'vernacular' refer to in literature?
The language spoken by the upper class
The language spoken by poets
The language spoken by the people who live in a particular locality
The formal language used in academic writing
What is a 'caesura'?
A type of rhyme scheme
A pause usually near the middle of a line of verse
A four-line stanza in poetry
A metaphorical expression
What is 'enjambment' in poetry?
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line
A comparison using 'like' or 'as'
The attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities
What is the definition of INTERNAL RHYME?
A) A poem that does not tell a story but expresses the personal feelings or thoughts of the speaker.
B) A rhyme that occurs within a line, rather than at the end.
C) A poem consisting of four lines, or four lines of a poem that can be considered as a unit.
D) A group of words forming a phrase or sentence and consisting of one or more lines repeated at intervals in a poem.
Which of the following is an example of a LYRIC POEM?
A) A BALLAD
B) A SONNET
C) A NARRATIVE POEM
D) A VILLANELLE
What is the function of METER in poetry?
A) It is a repeated grouping of three or more lines with the same meter and rhyme scheme.
B) It is a group of words forming a phrase or sentence and consisting of one or more lines repeated at intervals in a poem.
C) It is the repetition of a regular rhythmic unit in a line of poetry, often relating directly to the subject matter of the poem.
D) It is a rhyme that occurs within a line, rather than at the end.
What distinguishes an APPROXIMATE RHYME from a SLANT RHYME?
A) An approximate rhyme has matching vowel sounds but different consonants, while a slant rhyme has the same stressed consonant sound.
B) An approximate rhyme has the same stressed consonant sound, while a slant rhyme has matching vowel sounds but different consonants.
C) An approximate rhyme occurs at the end of lines, while a slant rhyme occurs within a line.
D) An approximate rhyme is used in sonnets, while a slant rhyme is used in villanelles.
What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
A) abab, cdcd, efef, gg
B) abba, abba, cdc, dcd
C) aba, aba, aba, aba, abaa
D) abab, bcbc, cdcd, ee
How many lines does a VILLANELLE typically have?
A) Fourteen
B) Nineteen
C) Eighteen
D) Twenty
What is the purpose of using IRONY in literature?
To create a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.
To describe the setting in detail.
To introduce new characters into the story.
To provide a historical context.
What does the term 'FORESHADOWING' refer to in literature?
The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.
A conversation between two characters used to reveal their personalities.
The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in words.
A direct comparison between two unlike things.
What is the effect of using a FLASHBACK in a narrative?
To predict future events in the story.
To provide a detailed description of the setting.
To interrupt the present action of a plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time.
To introduce the main conflict of the story.
Which of the following best defines a dynamic character in literature?
A character who remains unchanged throughout the story
A character who narrates the story in first person
A character who undergoes significant internal change during the story
A character who is only present in the background
What is the main function of foreshadowing in a literary work?
To describe the resolution of the plot
To hint at events that will occur later in the story
To provide background information about the setting
To introduce the main character
Which literary device involves giving human qualities to non-human things?
Metaphor
Irony
Personification
Alliteration
