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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 objects and animals are given human characteristics






2. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






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






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






6. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






7. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






9. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






10. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






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






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






15. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






16. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






17. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






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






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






23. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






24. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






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






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






28. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






29. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






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






32. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






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






36. 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.






37. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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






40. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






41. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






42. 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






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






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






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






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






47. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






49. 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






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