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AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






2. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






3. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






4. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






5. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






6. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






7. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






8. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






9. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






10. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






11. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






12. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






13. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






14. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






15. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






16. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






17. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






18. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






19. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






20. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






21. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






22. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






23. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






24. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






25. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






26. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






27. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






28. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






29. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






30. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






31. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






32. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






33. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






34. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






35. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






36. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






37. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






38. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






39. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






40. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






41. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






42. The emotional tone in a work of literature






43. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






44. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






45. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






46. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






47. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






48. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






49. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






50. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature