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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 series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






7. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






8. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






9. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






12. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






20. 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






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






22. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






23. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






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






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






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






27. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






28. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






32. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






34. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






37. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






38. 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.






39. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






43. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






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






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






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






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






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






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