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






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






3. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






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






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






7. Grating - inharmonious sounds






8. 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...'






9. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






10. 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






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






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






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






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






15. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






20. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






23. 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.






24. 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






25. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






27. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






29. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






30. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






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






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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