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






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






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






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






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






6. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






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






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






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






12. 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






13. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






14. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






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






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






20. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






22. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






24. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






25. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






26. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






27. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






28. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






30. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






33. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






34. 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






35. 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






36. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






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






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






41. Grating - inharmonious sounds






42. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






43. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






44. 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.






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






46. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






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






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






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






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