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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. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






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






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






5. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






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






8. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






9. 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...'






10. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






15. The emotional tone in a work of literature






16. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






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






18. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






22. 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






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






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






25. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






28. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






29. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






31. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






33. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






34. 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.






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






36. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






38. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






47. 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.






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






49. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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