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AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • 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 main character in a work of literature






2. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






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






5. 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






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






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






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






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






10. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






11. 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






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






18. A work of literature dealing with rural life






19. The dictionary definition of a word






20. 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






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






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






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






24. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






25. 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






26. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






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






28. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






29. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






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






32. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






33. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






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






37. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






38. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






46. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






47. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






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






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






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