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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 version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






2. 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






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






4. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






5. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






6. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






8. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






10. 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






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






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






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






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






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






16. 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.






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






18. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






23. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






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






26. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






29. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






30. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






39. 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






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






41. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






42. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






43. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






44. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






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






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






48. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






50. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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