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






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






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






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






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






6. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






8. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






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






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






12. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






14. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






16. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






20. 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.






21. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






25. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






27. 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






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






29. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






33. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






35. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






36. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






38. 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






39. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






43. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






50. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction