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 poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






2. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






6. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






7. 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






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






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






10. 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






11. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






12. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






15. 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






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






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






18. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






19. '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.






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






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






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






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






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






25. The main character in a work of literature






26. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






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






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






31. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






33. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






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






36. 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






37. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






39. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






42. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






43. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






45. 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






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






47. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






48. 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






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






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