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






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






3. 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






4. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






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






10. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






19. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






22. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






23. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






26. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






29. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






30. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






32. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






33. 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.






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






35. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






36. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






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






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






41. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






43. 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.






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






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






46. 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






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






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






49. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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