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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 story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






4. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






6. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






8. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






10. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






13. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






15. 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...'






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






17. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






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






35. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






36. 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.






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






41. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






42. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






49. 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.






50. 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.