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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 figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






3. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






5. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






12. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






13. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






15. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






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






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






19. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






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






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






23. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






24. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






29. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






30. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






33. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






34. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






36. 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






37. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






40. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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.






47. 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






48. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






50. The dictionary definition of a word







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