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






2. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






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






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






5. 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'






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






7. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






12. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






13. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






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






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






18. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






19. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






20. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






23. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






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






29. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






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






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






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






34. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






35. 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.






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






37. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






38. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






39. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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






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






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






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






44. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






45. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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






48. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






50. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general