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AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • 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 verse with five poetic feet per line






2. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






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






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






7. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






8. 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.






9. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






10. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






12. 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






13. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






18. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






21. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






23. A term for the title character of a work of literature






24. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






25. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






28. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






30. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






34. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






35. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






37. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






38. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






41. 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.






42. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






43. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






44. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






45. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






46. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






49. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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