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






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






3. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






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






6. 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






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






8. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






9. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






10. A term for the title character of a work of literature






11. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






12. 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






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






14. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






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






17. 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.






18. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






28. 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






29. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






30. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






31. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






32. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






33. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






42. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






44. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






45. 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






46. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






47. 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...'






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






49. A verse with five poetic feet per line






50. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects