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






2. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






5. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






6. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






8. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






11. 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...'






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






13. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






16. 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.






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






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






19. 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






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






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






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






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






24. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






25. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






26. 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






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






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






29. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






30. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






32. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






33. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






36. 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.






37. 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'






38. 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.






39. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






42. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






44. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






46. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






49. The dictionary definition of a word






50. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'







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