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






2. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






4. 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






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






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






7. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






8. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






10. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






12. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






13. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






15. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






16. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






17. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






20. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






31. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






32. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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






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






35. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






37. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






39. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






41. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






44. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






46. Grating - inharmonious sounds






47. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






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






50. '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.