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






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






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






4. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






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






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






8. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






16. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






19. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






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






22. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






23. 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






24. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






27. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






28. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






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






34. 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






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






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






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






38. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






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






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






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






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






43. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






46. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






49. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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







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