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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.
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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 figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






4. 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






5. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






17. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






19. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






20. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






22. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






23. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






33. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






35. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






38. 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.






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






40. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






41. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






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