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






2. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






3. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






4. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






7. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






10. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






12. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






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






15. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






17. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






21. 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






22. 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






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






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






25. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






27. 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...'






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






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






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






31. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






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






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






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






35. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






37. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






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






40. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






41. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






42. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






43. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






45. 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






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






47. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






48. 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






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






50. 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