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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 statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






2. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






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






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






6. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






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






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






10. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






14. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






15. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






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






24. '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.






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






26. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






28. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






31. 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






32. 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






33. 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






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






35. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






40. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






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






43. 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...'






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






45. 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






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






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






48. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






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