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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.
  • 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 concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






3. 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






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






5. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






7. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






9. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






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






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






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






14. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






16. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






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






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






20. A verse with five poetic feet per line






21. 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






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






23. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






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






29. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






30. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






31. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






33. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






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






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






37. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






39. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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