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






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






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






4. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






7. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






9. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






10. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






11. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






13. The main character in a work of literature






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






15. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






16. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






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






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






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






20. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






21. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






24. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






28. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






30. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






31. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






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






35. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






36. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






37. 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






38. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






44. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






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






47. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






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






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






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