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






2. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






4. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






5. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






7. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






8. 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






9. 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






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






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






12. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






13. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






14. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






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






18. 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.






19. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






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






21. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






22. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






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






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






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






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






27. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






29. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






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






32. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






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






45. 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






46. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






48. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






50. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change