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






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






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






4. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






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






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






10. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






11. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






15. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






16. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






17. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






19. 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






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






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






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






23. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






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






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






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






27. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






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






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






31. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






33. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






36. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






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






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






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






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






42. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






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






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






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






48. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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