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






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






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






4. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






5. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






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






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






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






10. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






13. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






14. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






26. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






27. 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






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






29. 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.






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






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






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






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






34. The dictionary definition of a word






35. 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'






36. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






46. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






47. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






48. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






49. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






50. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.