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. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






3. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






7. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






8. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






10. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






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






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






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






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






16. 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






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






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






19. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






21. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. 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






31. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






32. 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






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






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






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






36. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






37. Grating - inharmonious sounds






38. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






41. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






42. 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.






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






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






45. 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






46. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






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






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