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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 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.






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






3. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






5. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






6. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






9. 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.






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






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






12. 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...'






13. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






15. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






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






20. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






28. 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






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






30. 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






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






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






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






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






35. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






43. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






46. 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






47. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






48. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






49. A verse with five poetic feet per line






50. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth