Rhetoric and Superb Display
Pomp: a superb display of something.
The fireworks were very pomp.
Slipshod: something or someone that is careless and/or dirty.
The woman was dressed slipshod, which is very unusual.
Circumlocutions: a way of speaking, in a roundabout way.
She wouldn’t give me a direct answer she just kept speaking in a circumlocution. 1. Which of the following best describes the rhetorical function of the second sentence in the passage?
(a) It makes an appeal to authority.
(b) It restates the thesis of the passage.
(c) It expresses the causal relationship between morality and writing style. (d) It provides a specific example for the preceding generalization.
(e) It presents a misconception that the author will correct. 2. Which of the following phrases does the author use to illustrate the notion of an unnatural and pretentious writing style?
(a) “unconnected, slipshod allusions’’ (line 7)
(b) “throw words together’’ (lines 8–9)
(c) “gabble on at a venture’’ (line 22)
(d) “get upon stilts’’ (lines 30–31)
(e) “pitch upon the very word’’ (line 34) 3. In lines 10–32 of the passage, the author uses an extended analogy between
(a) language and morality
(b) preaching and acting
(c) writing and speaking
(d) vulgar English and incorrect pronunciation
(e) ordinary life and the theater 4. In line 17, “common speech’’ refers to
(a) metaphorical language
(b) current slang
(c) unaffected expression
(d) regional dialect
(e) impolite speech 5. Which of the following words is grammatically and thematically parallel to “tone’’ (line 21)?
(a) “solemnity’’ (line 21)
(b) “pulpit’’ (line 21)
(c) “stage-declamation’’ (line 21)
(d) “liberty’’ (line 22)
(e) “venture’’ (line 22) 6. In context, the expression “to pitch upon’’ (line 34) is best interpreted as having which of the following meanings?
(a) To suggest in a casual way
(b) To set a value on
(c) To put aside as if by throwing
(d) To
The fireworks were very pomp.
Slipshod: something or someone that is careless and/or dirty.
The woman was dressed slipshod, which is very unusual.
Circumlocutions: a way of speaking, in a roundabout way.
She wouldn’t give me a direct answer she just kept speaking in a circumlocution. 1. Which of the following best describes the rhetorical function of the second sentence in the passage?
(a) It makes an appeal to authority.
(b) It restates the thesis of the passage.
(c) It expresses the causal relationship between morality and writing style. (d) It provides a specific example for the preceding generalization.
(e) It presents a misconception that the author will correct. 2. Which of the following phrases does the author use to illustrate the notion of an unnatural and pretentious writing style?
(a) “unconnected, slipshod allusions’’ (line 7)
(b) “throw words together’’ (lines 8–9)
(c) “gabble on at a venture’’ (line 22)
(d) “get upon stilts’’ (lines 30–31)
(e) “pitch upon the very word’’ (line 34) 3. In lines 10–32 of the passage, the author uses an extended analogy between
(a) language and morality
(b) preaching and acting
(c) writing and speaking
(d) vulgar English and incorrect pronunciation
(e) ordinary life and the theater 4. In line 17, “common speech’’ refers to
(a) metaphorical language
(b) current slang
(c) unaffected expression
(d) regional dialect
(e) impolite speech 5. Which of the following words is grammatically and thematically parallel to “tone’’ (line 21)?
(a) “solemnity’’ (line 21)
(b) “pulpit’’ (line 21)
(c) “stage-declamation’’ (line 21)
(d) “liberty’’ (line 22)
(e) “venture’’ (line 22) 6. In context, the expression “to pitch upon’’ (line 34) is best interpreted as having which of the following meanings?
(a) To suggest in a casual way
(b) To set a value on
(c) To put aside as if by throwing
(d) To