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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






16. The main character in a work of literature






17. 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






18. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






19. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






23. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






25. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






26. '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.






27. 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






28. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






29. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






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






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






32. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






33. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






34. 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






35. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






37. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






39. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






41. 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






42. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. A term for the title character of a work of literature






50. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.