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






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






3. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. 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.






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






13. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






15. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






19. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






27. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






28. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






30. 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.






31. 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






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






33. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






35. '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.






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






37. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






39. 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






40. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






42. 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






43. 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






44. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






49. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






50. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects