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






2. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






3. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






5. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






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






8. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






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






12. 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'






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






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






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






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






17. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






18. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






20. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






22. 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






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






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






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






26. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






28. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






29. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






39. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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