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






2. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






3. 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'






4. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






5. The dictionary definition of a word






6. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






7. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






9. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






10. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






17. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






18. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






19. 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.






20. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






23. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. 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






31. The emotional tone in a work of literature






32. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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.






42. 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






43. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






46. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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