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






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






3. 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






4. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






9. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






12. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






13. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






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






16. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






17. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






18. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






20. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






22. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






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






25. 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






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






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






28. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






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






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






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






34. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






35. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






37. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






40. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






43. 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.






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






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






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






47. 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






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






49. The main character in a work of literature






50. 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