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






2. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. 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






12. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






17. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






20. 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.






21. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






22. 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






23. 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






24. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






26. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






28. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






31. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






33. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






35. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






36. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






38. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






40. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






41. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






46. 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.






47. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






48. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






49. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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