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






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






3. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






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






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






7. The dictionary definition of a word






8. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






9. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






10. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






13. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






14. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






15. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






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






18. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






19. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






20. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






21. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






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






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






26. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






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






29. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






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






31. 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






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






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






34. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






36. Grating - inharmonious sounds






37. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






39. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






40. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






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






45. '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.






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






47. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






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






50. 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.