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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. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






3. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






8. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






11. 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






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






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






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






15. 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...'






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






17. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






18. 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






19. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






22. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






23. 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.






24. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






25. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






34. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






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






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






38. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






40. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






42. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






43. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






44. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






45. 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.






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






47. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






48. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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