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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 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






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






3. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






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






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






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






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






9. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






10. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






11. 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






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






13. 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






14. 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.






15. 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






16. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






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






19. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






28. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






30. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






34. The main character in a work of literature






35. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






37. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






38. 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






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






40. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






41. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






43. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






45. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






46. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






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






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






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






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







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