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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 form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






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






3. 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






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






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






6. 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






7. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






8. 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






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






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






11. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






12. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






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






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






16. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






17. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






25. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






26. 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






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






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






29. 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






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






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






32. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






33. 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...'






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






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






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






37. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






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






41. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






42. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






45. Grating - inharmonious sounds






46. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






49. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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