Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






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






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






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






6. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






7. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






8. 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






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






10. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






15. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






16. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






17. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






18. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






19. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






21. 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.






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






23. 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






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






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






26. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






31. The emotional tone in a work of literature






32. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






34. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






35. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






36. 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






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






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






39. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






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






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






42. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






43. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






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






46. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






47. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






48. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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