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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. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






2. A term for the title character of a work of literature






3. 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.






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






5. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






6. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






7. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






8. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






10. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






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






13. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






14. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






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






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






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






19. 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'






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






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






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






23. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






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






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






27. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






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






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






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






32. 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






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






34. 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






35. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






40. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






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






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






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






45. 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






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






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






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






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






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