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






2. A term for the title character of a work of literature






3. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






7. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






11. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






14. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






16. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






18. 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






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






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






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






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






23. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






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






26. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






28. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






31. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






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






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






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






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






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