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






2. 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






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






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






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






6. 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






7. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






9. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






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






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






16. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






18. 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






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






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






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






22. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






24. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






25. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






26. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






27. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






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






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






31. A verse with five poetic feet per line






32. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






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






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






36. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






38. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






40. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






42. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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