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






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






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






4. 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






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






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






7. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






8. 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.






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






10. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






12. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






14. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






15. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






17. 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






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






19. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






20. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






23. 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






24. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






27. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






29. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






31. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






32. 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






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






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






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






36. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






38. 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...'






39. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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






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






43. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






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






46. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






48. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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







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