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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. 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'






2. 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






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






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






5. '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.






6. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






12. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






14. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






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






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






18. 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






19. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






20. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






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






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






26. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






28. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






29. 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.






30. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






33. 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.






34. The main character in a work of literature






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






36. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






37. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






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






39. The emotional tone in a work of literature






40. 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






41. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






42. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






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






45. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






46. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






50. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject