Test your basic knowledge |

AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

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. 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






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






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






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






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






7. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






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






13. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






16. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






18. 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...'






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






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






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






22. The main character in a work of literature






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






24. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






27. 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






28. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






29. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






30. The dictionary definition of a word






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






32. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






33. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






35. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






38. 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.






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






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






41. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






43. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






44. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






47. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






48. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






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






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