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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. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






3. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






9. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






10. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






11. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






12. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






14. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






15. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






16. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






18. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






21. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






26. 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






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






28. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






32. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






35. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






36. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






39. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






41. 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...'






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. 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






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