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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.
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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 grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






3. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






4. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






6. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






7. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






8. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






9. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






11. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






12. The dictionary definition of a word






13. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






14. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






15. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






16. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






17. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






18. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






19. A work of literature dealing with rural life






20. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






22. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






23. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






24. The emotional tone in a work of literature






25. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






26. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






27. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






28. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






29. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






30. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






31. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






32. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






33. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






34. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






35. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






36. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






38. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






39. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






41. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






42. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






44. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






45. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






46. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






47. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






48. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






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