Rhetorical Strategies and AP Vocabulary '24-'25

Semester 2 FINAL MCQs

double entendre

a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

metaphor

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

simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

juxtaposition

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

anastrophe

Inversion of the natural or usual word order

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

epiphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses

euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

litotes

A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.

amplification

involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over

polysyndeton

The deliberate use of a series of conjunctions.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

double entendre

a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.

apathy

having no interest or emotions about something

impetuous

rash, impulsive

indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

benevolent

well meaning and kindly

fervent

having or displaying a passionate intensity

bolster

support; prop up

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed

reprove

to scold or criticize

negligible

unimportant; insignificant

tout

to promote or praise energetically

didactic

intended to instruct

erratic

(adj.) not regular or consistent; different from what is ordinarily expected; undependable

burgeoning

begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish

prose

written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.

guile

deceit; trickery

analyze vs. evaluate

analyze looks at smaller sectors to understand the whole and evaluate finds the value of the text being used

convoluted vs. complex

convoluted is tangly and confusing, whereas complex involves intricate details that may be difficult to understand

rebuttal vs. refutation

A rebuttal is to prove something isn't true, but to refute is to actually prove it with evidence

ambiguous vs. ambivalent

Ambiguous means something is unclear or has multiple meanings, while ambivalent means having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas

objective vs. subjective

objective is based on facts and not influenced by personal feelings, while subjective is based on personal opinions or feelings

concrete vs. abstract

concrete is observable, measurable, easily perceived; abstract is vague and not easily defined, like love, freedom.

obscure vs. lucid

obscure means something is unclear, hard to understand, or hidden, whereas lucid means something is clear, easy to understand, or rational

alludes to vs. elicits

"alludes to" means to refer to something indirectly or hint at it without explicitly stating it, while "elicits" means to draw out or provoke a response

deride vs. revere

deride means to laugh at or show disrespect for someone or something, while revere means to admire and respect someone or something very much

elucidate vs. expound

both "elucidate" and "expound" mean to explain or make something clear, but "expound" implies a more elaborate explanation

affect vs. effect

verb vs. noun

pragmatic vs. dogmatic

pragmatic is practical and focuses on facts, while dogmatic follows rules and may be intolerant

precarious vs. guarded

precarious is uncertain, whereas guarded means in a careful manner that does not show feelings or give much information

provincial vs. parochial

narrow or limited concerns or interests vs. narrow-minded, or not open to new ideas

enigma vs. eccentric

enigma describes something that is mysterious and difficult to understand, while eccentric describes someone who behaves in an abnormal, strange way

vacillate vs. resolute

Vacillate means to waver or be indecisive, while resolute means to be firmly determined or unwavering. They are antonyms, representing opposite qualities of character or action.

exhaustive vs. perfunctory

Exhaustive means thorough and complete, while perfunctory means done superficially or as a mere formality, lacking interest or care.

novel vs. venerable

Novel means new and original, while venerable means deserving of respect due to age, wisdom, or importance.

declarative vs. imperative

Declarative sentences make statements of fact (e.g., "The sky is blue."), while imperative sentences give commands or instructions (e.g., "Close the door.").

interrogative vs. exclamatory

Interrogative sentences ask questions, while exclamatory sentences express strong emotions.

pensive vs. grave

Both pensive and grave describe a serious or thoughtful state, but pensive implies a deeper, often melancholic, or dreamlike thoughtfulness, while grave suggests a more serious, solemn, and dignified demeanor.

facetious vs. disparaging

Facetious means to treat serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; whereas disparaging is to express the opinion that something is of little worth.

affable vs. conciliatory

Both affable and conciliatory relate to friendliness and pleasantness, "affable" describes someone who is easy to talk to and friendly, while "conciliatory" describes actions or words aimed at ending a disagreement or making someone less angry.

austere vs. jocular

Austere means to be severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance, while jocular means fond of joking or jesting.

caustic vs. scathing

Both "caustic" and "scathing" describe harsh criticism, but "caustic" implies a sharper, more biting, and potentially acidic or corrosive tone, while "scathing" suggests a more severe and devastatingly critical remark.

brevity

Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech; brief

static

Fixed, not moving or changing, lacking vitality

virulent

Extremely poisonous; full of malice; spiteful

flagrant

Extremely or deliberately shocking or noticeable

taciturn

Habitually silent or quiet, inclined to talk very little

incessant

Never stopping, going on all the time

approbation

Approval or praise

placate

To appease, soothe, pacify

hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence

complement

Something that completes or makes up a whole

frivolous

Lacking in seriousness or importance

evocative

bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind

mitigate

to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity

elegiac

Expressing sorrow or lamentation

incredulous

disbelieving, skeptical

ardent vs. placid

Ardent describes someone or something that is passionate, enthusiastic, and eager. Placid, on the other hand, describes something that is calm, peaceful, and undisturbed.

contrite vs. unabashed

Contrite describes feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for wrongdoing. Unabashed means not embarrassed, ashamed, or shy, especially about something that would normally cause shame.

censorious vs. inflammatory

Censorious describes someone who is harshly critical and fault-finding. Inflammatory describes something that tends to incite anger, disorder, or provoke strong emotions, especially in a negative way.

patronizing vs. poignant

Poignant describes something that is deeply emotional and moving, often causing sadness or regret. Patronizing, on the other hand, describes behavior or language that shows a superior attitude, making the recipient feel inferior.

curt vs. candid

Curt implies a rude, abrupt, and often short-tempered manner, while candid suggests honesty and directness, even if it means being straightforward and potentially blunt.