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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. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






5. '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.






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






7. 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






8. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






10. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






12. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






15. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






19. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






20. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






23. 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






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






25. 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.






26. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






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






28. 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






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






30. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






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






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






34. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






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






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






39. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






41. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






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






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






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






45. The dictionary definition of a word






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






47. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






49. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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