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 term for the title character of a work of literature






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






3. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






5. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






7. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






9. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






12. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






14. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






15. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






16. 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






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 eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






21. 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






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






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






24. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






26. A work of literature dealing with rural life






27. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






47. 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






48. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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