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






2. The main character in a work of literature






3. 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.






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






5. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






9. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






11. A term for the title character of a work of literature






12. The emotional tone in a work of literature






13. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






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






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






17. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






20. 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






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






22. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






25. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






26. 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






27. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






30. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






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






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






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






42. 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.






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






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






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






46. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






49. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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