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






2. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






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






5. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






6. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






17. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






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






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






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






21. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






23. 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






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






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






26. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






27. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






28. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






30. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






32. A verse with five poetic feet per line






33. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






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






43. The main character in a work of literature






44. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






45. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






47. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






48. 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.






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






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