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






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






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






4. 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






5. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






10. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






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






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






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






15. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






17. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






18. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






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






21. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






23. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






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






26. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






27. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






37. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






39. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






42. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






47. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






48. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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