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AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • 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. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






3. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






5. 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






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






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






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






9. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






10. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






13. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






14. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






15. '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.






16. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






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






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






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






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






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






23. 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






24. The main character in a work of literature






25. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






27. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






30. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






33. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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