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






2. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






10. 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'






11. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






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






13. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






14. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






16. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. The dictionary definition of a word






25. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






26. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






27. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






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






31. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






32. A work of literature dealing with rural life






33. 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






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






35. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






37. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






47. 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






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






49. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






50. '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.