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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 comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






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






5. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






8. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






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






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






11. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






13. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






14. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






15. 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






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






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






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






19. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






21. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






22. 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






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






24. 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






25. 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






26. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






28. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






31. 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






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






33. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






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






37. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






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






40. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






43. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






44. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






46. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






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






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






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






50. 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