Semantics - decoding meanings

Question 1

Semantics

Answer 1

The study of how the meanings of words and expressions are created and interpreted.

Question 2

Denotation

Answer 2

The literal meanings of words.

Question 3

Connotation

Answer 3

The associated meanings of words.

Question 4

Antonym

Answer 4

Words which mean opposite things.

Question 5

Synonym

Answer 5

Words which mean the same thing.

Question 6

Literal language

Answer 6

Language which uses the actual meanings of words.

Question 7

Semantic field

Answer 7

A group of words which have similar connotations, or which are part of the same theme.

Question 8

Figurative language

Answer 8

Language that is used in a non-literal way to create images and form comparisons.

Question 9

Simile

Answer 9

A direct comparison through the use of “like” or “as”.

Question 10

Metaphor

Answer 10

A structure that presents one thing in terms of another.

Question 11

Zoomorphism

Answer 11

Giving animal qualities, characteristics or behaviour to a human.

Question 12

Anthropomorphism

Answer 12

Giving human qualities, characteristics or behaviour to an animal or object (a type of personification).

Question 13

Collocation

Answer 13

Routinely placing words or phrases together.

Question 14

Collocation - examples

Answer 14

A hard frost.
Home and dry.

Question 15

Cliche

Answer 15

A saying or remark that has been used so much it’s not original or interesting.

Question 16

Cliche - example

Answer 16

Useless as a chocolate fireguard.

Question 17

Idiom - examples

Answer 17

Over the moon.
I’m all ears.

Question 17

Idiom

Answer 17

An expression where the meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements.

Question 18

Euphemism

Answer 18

Using a more socially acceptable word or phrase.

Question 19

Euphemism - example

Answer 19

Passed away.

Question 20

Dysphemism

Answer 20

Using a blunt or direct word instead of a more polite or indirect alternative.

Question 21

Hyperbole

Answer 21

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Question 22

Rhetorical language

Answer 22

Language that is used to persuade.

Question 23

Logos

Answer 23

One of the three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to an audience’s sense of logic or reason.

Question 24

Logos - examples

Answer 24

Data. Facts. Statistics. Surveys.

Question 25

Pathos

Answer 25

One of the three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to the audience's emotions.

Question 26

Pathos - examples

Answer 26

Personal story. Powerful image.

Question 27

Ethos

Answer 27

One of the three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to the audience based on the speaker's authority.

Question 28

Ethos - example

Answer 28

Referencing their experience, moral character, clear reasoning, good intentions.

Question 29

Verbal irony

Answer 29

Conveying a meaning which is the opposite of the literal meaning.

Question 30

Verbal irony - example

Answer 30

"Isn't it a lovely day?" when it's raining.

Question 31

Anaphora

Answer 31

The deliberate repetition of the first part of a clause / sentence.

Question 32

Anaphora - example

Answer 32

We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France.

Question 33

Epistrophe

Answer 33

The deliberate repetition of the last part of a clause / sentence.

Question 34

Epistrophe - example

Answer 34

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.

Question 35

Symploce

Answer 35

The deliberate repetition of both the first and last part of a clause / sentence.

Question 36

Symploce - example

Answer 36

We will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again.

Question 37

Epizeuxis

Answer 37

Repetition of a single word, with no other words in between.

Question 38

Epizeuxis - example

Answer 38

Location, location, location.