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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.
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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 feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






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






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






5. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






6. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






8. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






11. 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.






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






13. 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...'






14. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






15. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






16. The main character in a work of literature






17. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






18. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






20. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






23. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






24. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. 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






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






34. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






35. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. 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






46. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






47. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






50. 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