AP English Language Vocabulary Set #1

Question 1

Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work

Answer 1

Imagery

Question 2

A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer

Answer 2

Rhetorical Question

Question 3

The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.

Answer 3

Ethos

Question 4

Appeals to the emotions and ideals of the audience and elicits feelings that already reside in them

Answer 4

Pathos

Question 5

An appeal to rational discourse that relies on inductive and deductive reasoning

Answer 5

Logos

Question 6

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Answer 6

Diction

Question 7

The mood implied by an author’s language and word choice, or to the way that the text can make a reader feel.

Answer 7

Tone

Question 8

A comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect

Answer 8

Analogy

Question 9

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Answer 9

Metaphor

Question 10

A figure of speech that directly compares two things

Answer 10

Simile

Question 11

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

Answer 11

Juxtaposition

Question 12

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Answer 12

Anecdote

Question 13

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political on

Answer 13

Allegory

Question 13

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

Answer 13

Alliteration

Question 14

A figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from an unrelated context is referred to covertly or indirectly.

Answer 14

Allusion

Question 15

The simple repeating of a word, within a short space of words, with no particular placement of the words to secure emphasis

Answer 15

Repetition

Question 16

Using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance

Answer 16

Parallel Structure

Question 17

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form

Answer 17

Personification

Question 18

A rhetorical device that consists of repeating a sequence of words at the beginnings of neighboring clauses, thereby lending them emphasis

Answer 18

Anaphora

Question 18

A type of communication that does not use a word’s strict or realistic meaning

Answer 18

Figurative Language

Question 18

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

Answer 18

Hyperbole

Question 19

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Answer 19

Symbolism

Question 20

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

Answer 20

Syntax

Question 21

A version of metaphor that extends over the course of multiple lines, paragraphs, or stanzas of prose or poetry.

Answer 21

Extended Metaphor

Question 22

A device in which the last word or phrase of one clause, sentence, or line is repeated at the beginning of the next

Answer 22

Anadiplosis

Question 23

A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different

Answer 23

Dichotomy

Question 24

A statement that seems to go against common sense but may still be true

Answer 24

Paradox

Question 25

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

Answer 25

Irony

Question 26

Opinions or interests shared by each of two or more parties

Answer 26

Common Ground

Question 27

An exhortation or stimulus to do something in order to achieve an aim or deal with a problem.

Answer 27

Call to Action

Question 28

A pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”.

Answer 28

Aphorism

Question 29

The addressing of an absent person as if present or of a personified thin

Answer 29

Apostrophe

Question 30

The linguistic style used for casual communication

Answer 30

Colloquial

Question 31

The writer establishes a comparison between two very different concepts or objects

Answer 31

Conceit

Question 32

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

Answer 32

Didactic

Question 33

The appeal of higher authority such as a god.

Answer 33

Religious Appeal

Question 34

The repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentence

Answer 34

Epistrophe

Question 35

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Answer 35

Euphemism

Question 36

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region

Answer 36

Vernacular

Question 37

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness

Answer 37

Ambiguity

Question 38

The background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story

Answer 38

Exposition

Question 39

A speech or piece of writing in which someone complains about the state of something or tells people how they ought to behave.

Answer 39

Homily

Question 40

Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language

Answer 40

Invective

Question 41

A complex sentence in which the main clause, or main point, occurs at the end of the sentence instead of the beginning.

Answer 41

Periodic Sentence

Question 42

The substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing.

Answer 42

Metonymy

Question 43

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle)

Answer 43

Onomatopoeia

Question 44

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true )

Answer 44

Oxymoron

Question 45

An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.

Answer 45

Parody

Question 46

Excessively concerned with formalism ,accuracy and precision or an ostentatious and arrogant show of learning.

Answer 46

Pedantic

Question 47

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt

Answer 47

Sarcasm

Question 48

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Answer 48

Satire

Question 49

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by six runs (meaning “Cleveland's baseball team”)

Answer 49

Synecdoche

Question 50

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Answer 50

Understatement

Question 51

An underlying quality or tone

Answer 51

Undertone

Question 52

The use of clever statements, sarcasm, irony, and other humor-based statements in order to lay off judgment on a situation and make the listener enjoy the rhetoric analysis.

Answer 52

Wit

Question 53

A figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses (e.g., John and his license expired last week ) or to two others of which it semantically suits only one (e.g., with weeping eyes and hearts ).

Answer 53

Zeugma

Question 54

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases

Answer 54

Loose Sentence

Question 55

An instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs)

Answer 55

Syllogism

Question 56

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

Answer 56

Connotation

Question 57

The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

Answer 57

Denotation