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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.
  • 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 work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






3. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






4. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






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






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






10. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






13. 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






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






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






16. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






18. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






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






21. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






22. 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.






23. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






24. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






27. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






30. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






32. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






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






34. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






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






37. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






39. The dictionary definition of a word






40. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






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






43. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






45. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






46. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






47. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






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






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







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