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






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






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






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






5. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






6. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






8. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






9. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






20. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






22. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






25. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






43. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






46. 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






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






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






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






50. 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