Test your basic knowledge |

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. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






2. 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






3. 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.






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






5. 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






6. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






7. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






11. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






18. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






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






22. 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






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






24. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






25. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






30. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






43. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






44. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






45. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






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






48. 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.






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






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