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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






17. 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.






18. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






20. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






21. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






22. 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






23. The main character in a work of literature






24. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






25. 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






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






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






28. 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






29. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






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






42. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






43. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






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






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






46. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






47. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






48. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






49. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






50. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose