Test your basic knowledge |

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






2. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






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






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






6. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






8. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






9. 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






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






11. 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






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






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






14. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






17. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






20. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






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






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






25. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






26. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






28. 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






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






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






31. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






38. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






40. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






41. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






45. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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






48. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






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






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