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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. 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.






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






3. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






4. 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






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






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






7. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






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






10. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






15. The main character in a work of literature






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






17. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






19. 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.






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






21. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






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






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






25. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






27. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






28. '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.






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






30. 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






31. 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






32. 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






33. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






35. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






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






38. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






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






41. 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






42. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






45. 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.






46. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






47. Grating - inharmonious sounds






48. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






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