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






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






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






4. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






5. 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






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






7. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






8. 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






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






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






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






12. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






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






15. 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






16. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






22. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






23. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






24. 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.






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






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






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






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






29. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






31. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






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






34. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






35. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






39. The dictionary definition of a word






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






41. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






44. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






45. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






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






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






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






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