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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. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






3. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






8. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






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






11. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






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






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






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






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






17. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






28. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






31. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






33. 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.






34. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






36. 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






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






41. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






42. 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






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






44. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






45. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






46. 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






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






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






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






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