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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. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






4. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






6. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






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






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






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






11. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






12. 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.






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






14. 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






15. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






16. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






17. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






20. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






21. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






22. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






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






26. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






28. 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






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






30. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






32. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






33. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






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






38. 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






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






40. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






43. '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.






44. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






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






48. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






49. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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