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






2. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






4. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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






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






7. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






10. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






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






12. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






13. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






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






19. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






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






21. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






22. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






24. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






25. 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






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






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






28. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






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






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






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






33. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






36. 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






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






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






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






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






41. '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.






42. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






43. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






48. 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.






49. 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






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