Which term refers to the body of words used in a particular language?

The term that refers to the body of words used in a particular language is vocabulary. Vocabulary encompasses all the words that a language consists of, including their meanings and usages. It is essential in communication as a rich vocabulary allows for more precise expression of thoughts and ideas. Understanding vocabulary is key to reading comprehension as well, since it directly affects how well a person can understand spoken and written language.

The other terms listed do not describe the body of words in a language. A topic refers to the subject matter of a discussion or a piece of writing, not the collection of words. Alliteration pertains to a literary device where the initial consonant sounds are repeated in a sequence of words, creating a rhythm or pattern rather than a collection of words. Rising action is a term used in storytelling to describe the buildup of events leading up to a climax in a narrative, which is unrelated to language itself. Thus, vocabulary is the correct choice as it specifically addresses the body of words in a language.