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






2. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






4. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






6. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






7. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






8. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






10. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






21. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






22. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






23. 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






24. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






25. 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






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






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






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






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






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






31. 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






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






33. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






35. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






37. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. 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






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






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






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






48. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






49. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






50. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects