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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.
  • 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 saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






3. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






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






6. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






9. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






11. 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






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






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






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






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






16. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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






18. 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.






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






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






21. A work of literature dealing with rural life






22. 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






23. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






25. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






26. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






27. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






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






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






32. The main character in a work of literature






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






34. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






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






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






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






40. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






46. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






48. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






49. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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







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