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 popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






2. 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






3. The dictionary definition of a word






4. 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






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






6. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






8. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






10. The main character in a work of literature






11. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






13. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






14. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






15. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






16. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






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






18. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






28. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






29. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






30. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






32. Grating - inharmonious sounds






33. 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






34. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






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






37. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






45. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






49. 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






50. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.







Sorry!:) No result found.

Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?


Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests