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






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






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






4. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






5. 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






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






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






8. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






10. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






11. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






13. 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






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






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






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






17. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






19. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






23. 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






24. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






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






27. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






28. 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






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






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






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






32. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






34. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






36. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






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






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






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






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






41. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






43. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






44. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






48. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






49. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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