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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 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






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






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






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






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






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






7. 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.






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






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






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






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






12. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






15. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






16. 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






17. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






18. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






20. The main character in a work of literature






21. 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






22. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






23. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






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






26. A work of literature dealing with rural life






27. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






28. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






34. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






37. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






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






40. '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.






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






42. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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






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






46. 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.






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






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






49. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






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