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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 discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






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






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






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






6. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






9. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






13. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






14. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






15. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






18. The dictionary definition of a word






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






20. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






21. 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






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






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






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






25. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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 comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






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






29. '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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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






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






43. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






45. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






46. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






48. 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






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






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