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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 figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






4. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






5. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






9. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






20. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






21. Grating - inharmonious sounds






22. 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...'






23. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






24. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






28. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






36. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






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






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






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






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






42. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






46. A work of literature dealing with rural life






47. 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






48. 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






49. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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







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