Test your basic knowledge |

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 German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






2. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






4. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






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






7. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






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






10. 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'






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






12. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






14. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






19. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






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






22. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






23. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






25. 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.






26. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






43. 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






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






45. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






46. The dictionary definition of a word






47. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






48. 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






49. A verse with five poetic feet per line






50. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests