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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. 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






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






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






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






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






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






7. 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.






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






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






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






11. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






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






14. The dictionary definition of a word






15. 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






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






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






18. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






19. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






24. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






25. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






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






30. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






31. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






40. 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'






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






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






43. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






45. 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...'






46. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






49. 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






50. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects







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