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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 choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






3. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






4. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






5. 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






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






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






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






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






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






11. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






13. The main character in a work of literature






14. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






17. 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






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






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






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






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






22. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






37. 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.






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






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






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






41. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






42. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






44. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






46. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






47. 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...'






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






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






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