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






2. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






4. 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...'






5. 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.






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






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






8. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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






10. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






11. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






22. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






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






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






25. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






26. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






34. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






38. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






40. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






41. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






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






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






44. A work of literature dealing with rural life






45. 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'






46. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






50. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes