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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 tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






7. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






8. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






9. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






11. 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






12. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






15. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






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






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






20. 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






21. 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






22. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






33. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






36. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






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






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






40. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






41. 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






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






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






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






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






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






47. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






49. Grating - inharmonious sounds






50. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics