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






2. 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






3. 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'






4. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






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. The main character in a work of literature






8. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






12. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






14. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






15. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






19. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






23. The dictionary definition of a word






24. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






26. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






30. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






33. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






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






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






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






37. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






38. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






40. 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






41. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






44. 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






45. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






46. 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






47. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






48. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






49. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






50. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects







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