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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. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






2. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






10. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






12. 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






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






14. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






17. The dictionary definition of a word






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






19. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






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






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






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






23. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






24. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






25. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






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






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






29. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






30. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






31. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






32. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






43. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






45. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






50. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex