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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. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






3. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. '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.






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






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






17. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






19. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






20. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






23. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






25. 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






26. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






27. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






28. 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






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






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






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






32. 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






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






34. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






37. 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...'






38. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






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






41. 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






42. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






45. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






46. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






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






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






49. 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






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