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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. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






2. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






4. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






6. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






9. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






10. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






13. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






14. '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.






15. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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






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






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






20. 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'






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






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






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






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






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






26. 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






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






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






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






30. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






34. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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






37. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






38. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






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






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






42. 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






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






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






45. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






46. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






48. 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






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






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