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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 quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






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






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






14. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






17. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






18. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






28. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






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 organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






32. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






34. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






36. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






37. 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.






38. 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






39. 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






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






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






42. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






43. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






48. '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.






49. 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...'






50. The interpretation or analysis of a text.