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






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






3. 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.






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






5. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






6. 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






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






8. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






9. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






10. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






11. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






29. The emotional tone in a work of literature






30. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






31. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






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






34. '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.






35. 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






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






37. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






38. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






39. The main character in a work of literature






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






41. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






42. 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






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






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






45. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






47. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






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