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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 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.






2. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






3. Grating - inharmonious sounds






4. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






10. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






11. 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.






12. 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






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






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






15. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






18. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






21. 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...'






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






23. 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






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






25. A work of literature dealing with rural life






26. 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'






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






28. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






29. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






31. 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






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






33. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






34. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






35. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






36. The dictionary definition of a word






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






38. 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






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






40. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






42. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






43. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






46. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






48. 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






49. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






50. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor