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






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






3. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






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






19. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






20. 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






21. 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'






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






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






24. 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...'






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. 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






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






33. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






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






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






37. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






39. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






41. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






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






44. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






45. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






47. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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