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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. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






2. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






5. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






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






8. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






11. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






13. 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






14. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






15. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






16. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






17. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






19. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






20. 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






21. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






23. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






24. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






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






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






28. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






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






30. Grating - inharmonious sounds






31. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






33. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






34. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






35. 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.






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






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






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






39. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






40. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






41. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






42. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






43. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






44. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






45. '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.






46. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






48. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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







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