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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. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






3. 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






4. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






7. The dictionary definition of a word






8. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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






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






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






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






13. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






14. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






16. A work of literature dealing with rural life






17. 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






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






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






20. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






21. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






22. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






24. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






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






30. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






31. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






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. 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






42. 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






43. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






45. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






47. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






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






50. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase