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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 one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






2. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






3. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






4. 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.






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






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






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






8. 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.






9. 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






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






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






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






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






14. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






15. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






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






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






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






21. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






22. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






24. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






25. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






27. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






29. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






30. 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






31. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






32. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






35. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. A work of literature dealing with rural life






43. 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






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






45. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






46. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






48. The emotional tone in a work of literature






49. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






50. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning