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






2. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






3. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






4. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






5. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






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






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






9. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






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






12. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






18. '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.






19. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






25. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






27. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






29. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






30. 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






31. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






32. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






33. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






35. 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.






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






37. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






39. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






40. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






47. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






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






49. 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






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