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






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






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






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






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






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






7. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






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






18. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






20. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






21. 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.






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






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






24. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






26. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






29. 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.






30. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






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






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






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






42. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






43. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






46. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






50. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general