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






2. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






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






4. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






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






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






9. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






10. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






13. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






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






23. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






25. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






26. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






28. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






29. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






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






31. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






33. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






35. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






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






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






40. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






41. 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






42. 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






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






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






45. 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






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






47. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






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






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