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






2. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






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






4. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






5. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






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






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






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






10. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






13. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






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






16. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






17. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






20. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






22. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






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






24. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






27. 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






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






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






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






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






32. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






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






34. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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...'






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






43. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






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






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






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






48. 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






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






50. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem