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






2. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






3. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






4. The dictionary definition of a word






5. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






7. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






9. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






11. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






12. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






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






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






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






16. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






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






19. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






20. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






21. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






33. 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






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






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






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






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






38. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






40. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






41. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






45. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






46. 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






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






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






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






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