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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 four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






2. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






4. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






7. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






17. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






18. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






19. 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






20. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






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






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






25. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






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






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






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






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






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






31. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






35. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






46. 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.






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






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






49. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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