Listening Test Terms

Question 1

a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox ).

Answer 1

Simile

Question 2

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)

Answer 2

Metaphor

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Oxymoron

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Personification

Question 5

in poetry, the repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible (e.g., penitence, reticence ).

Answer 5

Assonance

Question 6

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
“the alliteration of “sweet birds sang””

Answer 6

Alliteration

Question 7

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
“he vowed revenge with oaths and hyperboles”

Answer 7

Hyperbole

Question 8

a figurative language device where objects, people, actions, or events are used to represent something else, often an abstract idea or concept

Answer 8

Symbolism

Question 9

words that imitate or mimic the sounds associated with an object or action. These words are used to create vivid imagery and enhance the reader’s sensory experience by making the sounds they describe more tangible. Examples include “hiss,” “buzz,” “boom,” and “bang”.

Answer 9

Onomatopoeia

Question 10

a figure of speech that plays with words that have multiple meanings, or that plays with words that sound similar but mean different things.

Answer 10

Pun

Question 11

a situation where there is a contrast between reality and expectations. The powerful literary device, occurs when the actual meaning of a word is the opposite of what is stated, thereby showing an incongruity, that is, a situation at odds with what is true or real.

Answer 11

Irony

Question 12

the time, place, and environment in which a story occurs. Through its use, authors can establish mood, develop their characters, and enhance the conflict.

Answer 12

Setting

Question 13

The events that take place in a literary work

Answer 13

Action

Question 14

a story, poem, or picture where characters, settings, and events represent specific moral, religious, or political ideas. Essentially, it’s a narrative with a hidden meaning, where the surface story acts as a symbolic representation of a deeper, often abstract, message.

Answer 14

Allegory

Question 15

an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing, or to another work of literature. It’s a way for authors to add layers of meaning and enrich their work by referencing something well-known to the reader, without explicitly stating it.

Answer 15

Allusion

Question 16

any person, animal, or being represented in a story, book, play, or other work of art.

Answer 16

Character

Question 17

the struggle or clash between opposing forces, characters, ideas, or emotions that drives the narrative forward and creates tension. This struggle can be internal, within a character’s own mind, or external, involving the character and an outside force.

Answer 17

Conflict

Question 18

the broader circumstances, historical period, societal conditions, and author’s background that influence and shape a piece of literature.

Answer 18

Context

Question 19

the structure, organization, or framework of a written piece, encompassing both the specific literary devices (like metaphors or similes) and the overall arrangement of the text.

Answer 19

Form

Question 20

descriptive language that evokes mental pictures and sensory experiences in the reader’s mind, engaging them with the narrative through the senses. It’s a powerful literary device that goes beyond simply presenting facts or emotions, instead, it paints a vivid picture that allows readers to feel and experience the story more deeply.

Answer 20

Imagery

Question 21

the process of making meaning from a text

Answer 21

Interpretation

Question 22

the feeling or atmosphere created in the reader by a piece of writing. It’s the overall emotional response the author intends to evoke, shaping how the reader understands and engages with the story

Answer 22

Mood

Question 23

the person or entity that tells a story. They determine the story’s point of view and can be a character in the story (first-person) or an outside observer (third-person).

Answer 23

Narrator

Question 24

the sequence of events within a story: a description of what happens and why it happens

Answer 24

Plot

Question 25

the perspective from which a story is narrated. It essentially determines who is telling the story and how the reader experiences it. Essentially, it's about the narrator's perspective and the way they choose to present the events, characters, and themes to the reader.

Answer 25

Point of View

Question 26

the main character of a story, the character whose actions and choices drive the plot and who is often the one the audience is meant to empathize with or root for

Answer 26

Protagonist

Question 27

the character, force, or group of characters that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and tension in the story

Answer 27

Antagonist

Question 28

the central, unifying idea or message that a writer explores throughout their work. It often reflects universal human experiences like love, conflict, or identity

Answer 28

Theme

Question 29

the author's attitude or perspective toward the subject matter and audience. It's conveyed through the writer's word choice, sentence structure, and overall style.

Answer 29

Tone

Question 30

the unique style, personality, or perspective a writer uses to express themselves, shaping the tone and mood of a piece of writing. It's the sum of the writer's word choices, sentence structure, imagery, and other stylistic elements that make their writing distinctive

Answer 30

Voice

Question 31

a literary device where an author hints at or suggests events that will occur later in the story. It's a way to build suspense and anticipation by creating a sense of something imminent, but without directly revealing what it is.

Answer 31

Foreshadowing

Question 32

the repetition of similar sounds – or consonants – in language. It is used by writers to communicate rhythm, mood, and flow. The wild winds whisked the leaves away" features the "w" sound repeating across several words. This repetition can happen in the middle or end of words, not just at the beginning like alliteration.

Answer 32

Consonance