Test your basic knowledge |

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






2. 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






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






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






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






6. A verse with five poetic feet per line






7. Grating - inharmonious sounds






8. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






11. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






12. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






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






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






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






17. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






18. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






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






20. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






21. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






22. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






23. The emotional tone in a work of literature






24. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. 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.






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






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






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






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






36. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






37. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






41. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






42. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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