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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 concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






3. 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






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






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






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






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






8. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






10. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






12. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






13. 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






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






15. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






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






18. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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






20. 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






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






22. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






23. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






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






26. 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






27. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






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






31. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






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






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






35. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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.






47. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






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