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






2. 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






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






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






5. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






7. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






8. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






10. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






11. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






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






15. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






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






18. 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.






19. 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






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






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






22. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






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






25. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






34. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






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






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






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






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






40. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






41. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






46. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






48. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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