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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 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.






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






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






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






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






7. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






9. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






11. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






13. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






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






15. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






17. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






18. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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






20. 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






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






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






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






24. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






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






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






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






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






29. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






30. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






31. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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






33. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






35. The emotional tone in a work of literature






36. 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






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






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






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






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






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






42. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






43. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






44. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






45. 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






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






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






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






49. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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