Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






3. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






4. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






5. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






7. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






8. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






10. The emotional tone in a work of literature






11. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






17. 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.






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






19. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






27. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






28. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






30. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






32. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






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






34. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






35. 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






36. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






37. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






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






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






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






42. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






43. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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






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






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






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






49. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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