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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. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






7. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






8. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






9. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






10. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






12. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






13. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






14. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






18. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






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






22. 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






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






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






25. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






27. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






28. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






33. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






34. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






37. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






40. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






41. 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






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






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






44. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






45. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






46. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






47. 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






48. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






49. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






50. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow