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






2. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






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






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






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






6. 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






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






8. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






9. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






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






13. 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






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






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






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






17. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






30. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






31. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






32. The main character in a work of literature






33. 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






34. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






35. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






36. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






42. 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






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






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






45. 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






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






47. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






48. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






49. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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







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