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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.
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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 pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






3. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






4. A work of literature dealing with rural life






5. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






6. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






7. The dictionary definition of a word






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






9. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






10. 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






11. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






14. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






15. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






17. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






18. 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






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






20. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






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






22. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






29. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






31. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






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






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






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






37. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






38. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






43. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






44. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






45. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






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






47. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






48. 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






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






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