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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. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






3. A work of literature dealing with rural life






4. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






8. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






11. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






12. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






14. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






15. 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.






16. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






20. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






24. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






25. 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






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






27. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






29. 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...'






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






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






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






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






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






35. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. 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






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






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






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






45. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






47. '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.






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






49. 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






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