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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. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






3. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






4. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






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






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






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






8. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






10. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






13. 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.






14. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






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






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






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






18. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






21. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






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






23. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






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






27. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






29. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






30. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






31. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






32. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






33. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






39. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






42. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






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






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






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






47. A verse with five poetic feet per line






48. The main character in a work of literature






49. 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






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