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






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






3. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






4. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






5. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






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






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






11. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






17. 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






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






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






20. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






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






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






24. 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.






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






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






27. 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






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






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






30. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






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






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






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






35. 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...'






36. 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.






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






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






39. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






41. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






43. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






46. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






50. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.