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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 term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






2. 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






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






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






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






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






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






8. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






11. 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






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






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






14. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






15. 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






16. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






20. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






21. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






25. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






27. 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.






28. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






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






30. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






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






33. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






35. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






36. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






38. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






40. 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.






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






42. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






44. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






47. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






48. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






49. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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