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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.
  • 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 pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






3. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






6. 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






7. 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.






8. 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






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






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






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






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






13. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






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






19. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






20. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






21. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






25. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






27. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






28. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






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






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






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






32. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






35. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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