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






2. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






4. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






5. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






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






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






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






10. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






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






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






13. 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.






14. The main character in a work of literature






15. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






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






18. 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






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






20. 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






21. 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.






22. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






24. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






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






27. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






28. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






29. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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






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






33. 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






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






35. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






38. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






41. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






43. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






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






46. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






49. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






50. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.