GAMSAT Section 1 Terms

Question 1

Sarcasm

Answer 1

Saying the opposite of what you mean in a mocking way (type of verbal irony)

Question 2

Irony

Answer 2

Contrast between expectation and reality (situation, verbal and dramatic)

Question 3

Didactic

Answer 3

Intended to teach, often in a moralising way.

Question 4

Satire

Answer 4

Using humour, exaggeration or ridicule to criticise or expose something.

Question 5

Parody

Answer 5

An imitation of a particular style or work for comedic effect.

Question 6

Euphemism

Answer 6

A mild or indirect word used in place of something harsh (eg. ‘passed away’ instead of ‘died’).

Question 7

Pathos

Answer 7

Appealing to emotions, especially pity or sadness.

Question 8

Objective vs Subjective

Answer 8

Objective -> based on facts.
Subjective -> Influenced by personal feelings.

Question 9

Oxymoron

Answer 9

Phrase combining contradictory terms.

Question 10

Allegory

Answer 10

Story with a hidden meaning (often moral or political).

Question 11

Stream of consciousness

Answer 11

A narrative style that mimics natural thought flow.

Question 12

Acerbic

Answer 12

Harsh, bitter tone.

Question 13

Lugubrious

Answer 13

Overly mournful or gloomy.

Question 14

Melancholic

Answer 14

Deeply sad or reflective.

Question 15

Wistful

Answer 15

Sadly longing for something.

Question 16

Aphorism

Answer 16

A brief, witty statement of truth (eg. ‘Actions speak louder than words).

Question 17

Denotation

Answer 17

The literal meaning of word.

Question 18

Epigram

Answer 18

A clever, witty saying.

Question 19

Polemic

Answer 19

A strong verbal or written attack on something.

Question 20

Ad hominem

Answer 20

Attacking a person rather than their argument.

Question 21

Non-sequitur

Answer 21

A conclusion that does not logically flow on from the premises.

Question 22

Metonymy/Synecdoche

Answer 22

Something is replaced with something closely related to represent it (eg. ‘The Crown’ - monarch, ‘lend me a hand’ - get help).

Question 23

Misanthropic

Answer 23

Having a deep distrust of humanity.

Question 24

Paradox

Answer 24

A self-contradictory statement that may reveal a deeper truth (eg. “less is more”).

Question 25

Anachronism

Answer 25

Something out of its proper time period.

Question 26

Zeugma

Answer 26

A word that applies to multiple parts of a sentence differently (eg. she stole my heart and my wallet).

Question 27

Glib

Answer 27

Fluent, but insincere.

Question 28

Semiotics

Answer 28

The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation (eg. why use red as a stop sign on the roads).

Question 29

Semantics

Answer 29

The meaning and interpretation of words and sentence structure.

Question 30

Remonstrate

Answer 30

make a forcefully reproachful protest.

Question 31

Personification is figurative (for poetic or artistic effect). Anthropomorphism is literal (the non-human entity behaves like a human).