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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 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






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






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






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






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






6. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






10. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






11. 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






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






13. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






18. 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






19. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






20. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






21. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






22. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






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






25. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






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






28. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






31. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






33. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






35. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






39. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






41. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






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






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






45. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






46. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






48. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






50. Grating - inharmonious sounds