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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. 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






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






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






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






5. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






13. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






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






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






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






18. 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.






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






20. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






25. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






27. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






31. The dictionary definition of a word






32. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from 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 vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






35. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






36. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






37. Grating - inharmonious sounds






38. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






41. 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.






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






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






44. 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






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






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






47. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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