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






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






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






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






5. 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.






6. 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...'






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






8. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. 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






16. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






17. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






19. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






21. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






22. 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






23. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






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






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






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






28. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






30. 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






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






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. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






35. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






38. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






39. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






40. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






42. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






43. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






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






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






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






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






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






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






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







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