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






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






3. 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...'






4. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






5. 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






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






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






8. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






9. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






13. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






15. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






16. 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.






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






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






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






20. 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.






21. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






22. 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.






23. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






26. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






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






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






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






31. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






34. The dictionary definition of a word






35. 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






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






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






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






39. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






44. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






45. 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.






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






47. 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






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






49. '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.






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