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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 figurative comparison using the words like or as






2. 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






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






4. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






7. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






8. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






9. 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.






10. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






11. 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






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






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






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






15. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






16. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






17. '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.






18. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






21. 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






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






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






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






25. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






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






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






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






30. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






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






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






34. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






50. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation