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






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






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






4. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






6. 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






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






8. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






9. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






11. 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.






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






13. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






16. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






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






19. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






21. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






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






25. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






27. 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






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






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






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






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






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






33. Grating - inharmonious sounds






34. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






38. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






39. 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






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






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






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






43. 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






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






45. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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