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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 use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






3. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






5. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






7. 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.






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






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






10. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






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






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






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






14. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






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






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






18. 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






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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






25. 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






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






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






28. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






30. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






32. The dictionary definition of a word






33. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






35. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






37. 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






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






39. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






42. 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...'






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






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






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






46. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






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






48. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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