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






2. 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






3. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






4. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






5. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






6. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






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






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






20. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






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






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






26. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. 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






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






35. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






37. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






38. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






39. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






41. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






42. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






43. 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...'






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






45. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






49. The dictionary definition of a word






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