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






2. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






10. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






13. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






19. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






20. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






23. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






26. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






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






30. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. A verse with five poetic feet per line






39. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






40. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






43. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






44. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






45. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






46. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






47. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






48. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






50. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research