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






2. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






4. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






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






7. Grating - inharmonious sounds






8. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






13. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






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






16. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






25. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






28. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






39. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






43. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






45. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






47. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






48. 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






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






50. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry