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






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






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






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






5. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






6. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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






9. 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






10. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






11. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






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






17. The main character in a work of literature






18. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






21. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






25. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






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






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






30. 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'






31. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






41. 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...'






42. 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






43. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






45. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






46. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






49. 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






50. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.