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






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






3. 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






4. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






5. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






6. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






7. The main character in a work of literature






8. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






10. 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.






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






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






13. 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






14. 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






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






16. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






17. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






21. 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






22. 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.






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






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






25. A verse with five poetic feet per line






26. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






27. 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






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






29. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






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






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






33. 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






34. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






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






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






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






38. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






42. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






48. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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







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