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






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






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






4. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






6. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






7. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






8. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






9. 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.






10. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






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






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






15. 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






16. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






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






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






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






20. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






24. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






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






27. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






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






31. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






32. 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






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






34. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






36. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






40. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






42. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






43. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






44. 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.






45. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






47. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






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






49. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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