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






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






3. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






5. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






6. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






7. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






9. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






10. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






12. 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






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






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






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






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






17. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






19. 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






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






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






22. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






24. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






37. 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






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






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






40. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






43. 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






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






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






46. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






47. The dictionary definition of a word






48. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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






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