Test your basic knowledge |

AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • 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 brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






2. 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...'






3. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






10. The dictionary definition of a word






11. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






13. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






14. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






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






24. 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






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






26. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






27. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






28. 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






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






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






31. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






33. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






34. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






35. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






36. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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






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






40. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






45. 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






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






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






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






49. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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