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






2. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






4. The emotional tone in a work of literature






5. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






9. 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.






10. 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






11. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






12. '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.






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






14. A verse with five poetic feet per line






15. 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






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






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






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






19. The dictionary definition of a word






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






21. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






22. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. 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






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






32. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






33. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






36. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






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






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






40. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






44. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






45. A work of literature dealing with rural life






46. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






47. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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