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






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






3. 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






4. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






7. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






8. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






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






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






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






13. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






15. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






17. 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






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






19. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






22. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






25. 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






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






27. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






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






29. 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






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






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






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






33. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






34. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






36. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






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






38. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






39. 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.






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






41. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






42. The dictionary definition of a word






43. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






44. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






45. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






47. 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






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






49. 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






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