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






2. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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






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






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






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






7. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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






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






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






11. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






12. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






23. 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






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






25. 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






26. 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'






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






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






29. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






30. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






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






32. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






35. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






36. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






38. 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






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






40. 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






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






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






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






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






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






46. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






47. 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






48. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






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