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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. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






4. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






5. 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






6. 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.






7. 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'






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






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






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






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






12. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






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






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






17. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






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






25. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






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






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






28. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






31. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






32. 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.






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






34. '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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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






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






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






44. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






45. 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.






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






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






48. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






49. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






50. The choice of words in oral and written discourse