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






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






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






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






5. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






7. 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






8. 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.






9. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






12. A work of literature dealing with rural life






13. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






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






17. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






20. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






21. 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






22. 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.






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






24. 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






25. 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






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






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






28. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






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






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






31. A verse with five poetic feet per line






32. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






34. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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






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






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






39. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






43. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






44. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






45. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






48. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






50. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived