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






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






3. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






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






8. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






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






10. 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






11. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






13. 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






14. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






16. 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






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






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






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






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






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






22. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






24. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






25. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






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






28. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






29. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






30. 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.






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






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






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






34. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






36. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






37. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






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






39. 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






40. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






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






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






45. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






48. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






49. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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