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






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






3. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






5. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






7. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






8. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






10. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






11. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






15. 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






16. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






17. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






18. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






19. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






21. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






22. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






24. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






25. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






27. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






28. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






32. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






34. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






37. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






38. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






39. A verse with five poetic feet per line






40. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






41. 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






42. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






43. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






48. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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