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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 work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






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






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






5. 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






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






7. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






8. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






10. 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'






11. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






12. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






16. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






19. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






20. 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...'






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






22. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






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






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






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






27. 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






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






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






30. 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






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






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






33. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






35. '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.






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






37. 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






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






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






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






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






42. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






44. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






49. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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