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






2. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






3. 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






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






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






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






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






8. '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.






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






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






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






12. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics






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






14. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






15. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






16. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






18. 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






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






20. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






23. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






24. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






26. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






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






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






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






31. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






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






34. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






36. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






37. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






40. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






41. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






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






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






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






46. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






48. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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