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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. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






4. 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






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






6. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






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






9. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






16. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






17. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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.






25. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






27. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






28. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






29. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






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






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






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






34. 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






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






36. 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'






37. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






38. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






40. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






41. A work of literature dealing with rural life






42. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. 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.






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







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