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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. 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.






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






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






4. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






5. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






6. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






10. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






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






13. 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






14. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






15. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






20. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






22. '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.






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






24. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






25. 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






26. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






27. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






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






30. Grating - inharmonious sounds






31. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






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






35. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






38. 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.






39. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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






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






48. 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






49. 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






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







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