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






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






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






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






5. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






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






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






8. 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






9. 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






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






11. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






12. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






13. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






15. 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.






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






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






18. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






21. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






22. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






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






25. '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.






26. The main character in a work of literature






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






28. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






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






30. 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






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






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






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






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






35. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






38. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






39. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






42. A verse with five poetic feet per line






43. 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






44. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






47. 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...'






48. 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






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






50. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth