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






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






3. 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






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






5. 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






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






7. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






8. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






10. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






11. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






12. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






26. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






30. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






31. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






34. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






37. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






38. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






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






41. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






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






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






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






46. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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