Test your basic knowledge |

AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • 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. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






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






3. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






4. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






8. 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






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






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






11. 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






12. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






14. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






16. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






17. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






19. 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.






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






21. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






23. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






24. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






26. '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.






27. 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






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






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






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






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






32. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






33. 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






34. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






35. 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






36. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






38. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






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






41. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






42. 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






43. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






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






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






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






48. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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