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






2. '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.






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






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






5. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






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






8. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






10. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






12. 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






13. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






14. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






22. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






23. 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






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






25. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






27. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






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






30. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






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






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






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






35. 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






36. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






38. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






39. The main character in a work of literature






40. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






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






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






44. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






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






47. 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






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






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






50. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment