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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. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






3. 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






4. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






6. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






7. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






9. 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






10. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






13. 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






14. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






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






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






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






19. 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.






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






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






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






23. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






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






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






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






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






29. 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






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






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






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






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






34. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






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






40. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






41. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






42. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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







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