Test your basic knowledge |

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 comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. 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.






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






11. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






12. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






14. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






23. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






24. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






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






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






27. A work of literature dealing with rural life






28. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






30. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






31. 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.






32. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






33. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






35. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






37. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






38. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






39. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






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






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






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






43. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






44. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






45. 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






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






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






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






49. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






50. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect