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






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






3. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






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






6. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






8. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






9. 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'






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






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






12. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






13. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






15. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






20. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






24. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






25. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






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






27. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






28. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






29. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






30. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






32. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






33. 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






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






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






36. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






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






40. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






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






42. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






44. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






46. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






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