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






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






3. 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.






4. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






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






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






8. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






9. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






11. The main character in a work of literature






12. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






15. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






16. The emotional tone in a work of literature






17. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






21. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






22. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






23. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






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






26. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






27. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






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






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






31. 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






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






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






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






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






36. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






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






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






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






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






42. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






44. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






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






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






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






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






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