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






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






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






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






5. 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.






6. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






18. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






19. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






23. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






26. 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






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






28. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






29. 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






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






31. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






33. '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.






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






35. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






39. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






40. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






43. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






45. The dictionary definition of a word






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






47. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






48. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






49. 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






50. The interpretation or analysis of a text.







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