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 work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






4. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






5. 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






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






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






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






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






10. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






15. 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.






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






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






18. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






20. 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






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






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






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






24. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






28. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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