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






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






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






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






5. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






10. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






20. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






21. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






23. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






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






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






26. 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






27. 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






28. 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






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






30. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






31. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






33. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. 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






43. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






44. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






46. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






48. 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






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






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