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






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






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






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






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






6. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






7. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






9. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






11. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






12. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






14. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






17. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






19. 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






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






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






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






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






24. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






25. 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.






26. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






27. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






30. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






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






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






34. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






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






37. 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






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






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






40. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






41. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






42. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






43. 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






44. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






45. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






46. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






47. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






49. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






50. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning