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






2. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






3. Grating - inharmonious sounds






4. 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






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






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






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






8. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






9. 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.






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






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






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






13. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






15. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






16. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






18. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






21. 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






22. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






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






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






25. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






27. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






33. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






34. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






37. The main character in a work of literature






38. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






39. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






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






42. 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






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






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






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






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






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






48. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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