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






2. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






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






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






5. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






6. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






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






8. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






9. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






10. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






12. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






14. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






16. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






19. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






20. The main character in a work of literature






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






22. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






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






26. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






32. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






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






36. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






38. 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






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






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






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






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






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






44. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






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






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






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