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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. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






2. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






12. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






14. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






17. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






18. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






20. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






21. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






26. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






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






28. 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...'






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






39. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






41. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






44. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






45. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






46. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






47. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






49. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






50. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects