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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 list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






3. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






5. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






9. The main character in a work of literature






10. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






21. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






23. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






24. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






25. 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.






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






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






28. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






29. 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.






30. 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






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






32. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






33. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






37. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






38. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






40. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






45. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






48. The emotional tone in a work of literature






49. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






50. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry