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






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






3. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






5. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






6. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






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






10. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






12. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






16. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






17. 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.






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






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






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






21. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






23. A verse with five poetic feet per line






24. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






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






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 short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






30. 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






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






32. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






34. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






37. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






38. 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






39. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






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






43. 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.






44. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






47. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






48. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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






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