Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






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






4. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






5. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






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






8. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






14. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






15. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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






18. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






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






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






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






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






24. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






27. 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






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






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






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






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






32. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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.






42. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






43. 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






44. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






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






47. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






50. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.