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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 story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






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






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






7. 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






8. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






10. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






12. 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






13. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






15. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






16. 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'






17. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






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






22. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






23. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






24. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






26. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. 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






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






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






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






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






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






39. 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






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






41. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






42. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






50. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects