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






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






3. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






4. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






7. 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






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






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






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






11. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






25. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






30. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






31. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






32. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






33. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






35. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






40. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






41. The emotional tone in a work of literature






42. 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.






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






44. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






45. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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