AP English 11 Midterm

antimetabole

rhetorical device in which a phrase or sentence is repeated, but in reverse order

ethos

setting up a source as credible and trustworthy

counterargument

the argument against the author's position

alliteration

the practice of starting several consecutive or neighboring words with the same sound

anaphora

the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses

antithesis

the use of contrasting words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis

figurative language

the use of language in a non literal way; any such figures of speech

Transmute

v. to change from one nature, substance, or form to another

Cajole

v. to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

Disabuse

v. to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking

Transgress

v. to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law

Contrive

v. to plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan

Castigate

v. to punish severely; to criticize severely

heinous

A town so peaceful, quiet, and law-abiding was bound to be horrified by so __________ a crime.

castigated

After he _________ the unruly children, they settled down to study quietly.

anomalous

Feeling protective of my friend but knowing of his difficulties placed me in an ________________ position.

insurgent

George Washington and his contemporaries were ___________ against Britain

disabuse

He thinks that all women adore him, but my sister will probably __________ him of that idea

brusque

His request for a large loan for an indefinite length of time was met with a ________ refusal.

fetter

It is said that good inventors do not __________ themselves with conventional thinking

demagogue

Often a show of angry concern conceals the self-serving tactics of a ____________

immutable

Scientists labored to discover a set of __________ laws of the universe

contrive

She can _______________ wonderful excuses; but when she tries to offer them, her uneasiness gives her away

ennui

Some people seem to confuse sophistication with ________

megalomania

Sudden fame and admiration can make people feel unworthy- or it can bring on feelings of __________.

insurgent

The army was confident that they could crush the ____________ forces.

surreptitious

The movie heroine blushed when she noticed the ___________ glances of her admirer.

sinecure

The office of Vice President of the United States was once considered little more than a ____________

transgress

The penitent citizens promised never again to ____________ the laws of the land.

aspersion

Think twice before casting ___________ on his honesty, for he might be telling the truth

transmute

To _____________ distrust into cooperation along that war-torn border will take more than talk and treaties

cajole

With a smile, a joke, and a second helping of pie, she would _____________ him into doing what she wanted

bizarre

Years from now I will look at this picture and wonder what sort of ____________ costume I was wearing

fetters

______________ on the prisoners deterred escape.

anecdote

a brief narrative episode that can be used to introduce an issue, serve as evidence, or illustrate a point

simile

a stated comparison between two things or ideas that are not alike but have similarities using the word 'like' or 'as'

irony

a word or phrase is used to mean the opposite of its literal meaning

Anomalous

adj. abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

Brusque

adj. abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

Bizarre

adj. extremely strange, unusual, atypical

Immutable

adj. not subject to change, constant

Vicarious

adj. performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another

Surreptitious

adj. stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

Heinous

adj. very wicked, offensive, hateful

metaphor

an implied comparison in which two things not alike are shown to be similar in some way

pathos

appeal based on emotion

logos

appeal based on facts or logic

parallelism

balance of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration, often humorous and used for emphasis; not to be taken literally

personification

human qualities are given to non-human objects/ideas

vicarious

in search of __________ excitement, we watched movies of action and adventure

Fetter

n. a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; v. to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent

Aspersion

n. a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming

Megalomania

n. a delusion marked by a feeling or power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality

Demagogue

n. a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

Sinecure

n. a position requiring little or no work; an easy job

Insurgent

n. one who rebels or rises against authority; adj. rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on

Ennui

n. weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom