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






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






3. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






4. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






5. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






6. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






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






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






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






10. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






11. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






12. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






14. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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






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






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






19. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






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






22. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






26. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






28. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






38. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






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






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






41. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






44. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






45. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






46. 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






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






48. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






50. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade