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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. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






2. 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.






3. 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.






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






5. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






6. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






9. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






11. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






18. '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.






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






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






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






22. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






24. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






25. 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






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






27. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






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






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






34. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






36. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






39. 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






40. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






42. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






47. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






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






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