AP English Literary Terms: Prose! Practice Test

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  • 1/21 Questions

    Exaggeration; overstatement. Examples: (1) He [Julius Caesar] doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his...huge legs.–Shakespeare. (Caesar has become a giant.) (2) Ten thousand oceans cannot wash away my guilt. (3) Oscar has the appetite of a starving lion.

    • Synecdoche
    • Figurative language
    • Dramatic irony
    • Hyperbole
    • Paradox
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About This Quiz

A quiz to help students study for the prose portion of the AP English exam.

Prose Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    Imitation of a literary work or film–or the style used by a writer or filmmaker–in order to ridicule the work and its writer or producer. The Austin Powers movies use this technique to mock James Bond movies. 

    • Oxymoron

    • Farce

    • Parody

    • Tragic comedy

    • Allusion

    Correct Answer
    A. Parody
    Explanation
    Parody is the correct answer because it refers to the imitation of a literary work or film, or the style used by a writer or filmmaker, in order to ridicule the work and its creator. The example given, the Austin Powers movies mocking James Bond movies, fits the definition of parody as it imitates the style and elements of the James Bond films in a humorous and mocking way.

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  • 3. 

    An expression not used in formal speech or writing. Language that is considered to be characteristic of or only appropriate for casual, ordinary, familiar, or informal conversation rather than formal speech or writing

    • Colloquialism

    • Epigram

    • Syntax

    • Synecdoche

    • Asyndeton

    Correct Answer
    A. Colloquialism
    Explanation
    A colloquialism refers to language that is used in casual or informal conversations rather than in formal speech or writing. It is characterized by its informality and familiarity, making it inappropriate for formal contexts. This term is used to describe expressions that are not commonly used in formal speech or writing.

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  • 4. 

    Latin phrase for in the middle of things. It means that a story begins in the middle of the plot, usually at an exciting part. The writer of the story later uses flashback to inform the reader of preceding events. The Greek poet Homer originated this technique in his two great epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. 

    • In medias res

    • Midi

    • Midpoint

    • In middle commencement

    • Midi midi

    Correct Answer
    A. In medias res
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "in medias res." This Latin phrase is used to describe a narrative technique where a story begins in the middle of the plot, usually at an exciting part. The writer later uses flashbacks to provide information about preceding events. This technique was originated by the Greek poet Homer in his epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey.

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  • 5. 

    The literal meaning of a word, the "dictionary definition."¨ For example, if you look up the word snake in a dictionary, you will discover that one of its meanings is "any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."

    • Connotation

    • Denotation

    • Figurative language

    • Colloquialism

    • Jargon

    Correct Answer
    A. Denotation
    Explanation
    Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary meaning of a word. It is the objective and straightforward definition of a word, without any emotional or cultural associations. In this context, the explanation suggests that the correct answer is denotation because it aligns with the given definition of denotation as the literal meaning of a word.

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  • 6. 

    The situation in which the audience attending a dramatic presentation grasps the incongruity of a situation before the actors do. Example: In Romeo & Juliet, Romeo is unaware that Juliet is pretend-dead, so he kills himself even though the audience is aware that Juliet’s alive.

    • Dramatic irony

    • Situational irony

    • Verbal irony

    • Poetic justice

    • Antithesis

    Correct Answer
    A. Dramatic irony
    Explanation
    Dramatic irony refers to a situation in which the audience is aware of something that the characters in a play or story are not. In the given example from Romeo & Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet is not actually dead, but Romeo is unaware of this fact and kills himself. This creates a sense of tension and suspense for the audience, as they are aware of the tragic outcome that Romeo's actions will have. This type of irony adds depth and complexity to the storytelling, as it allows the audience to have a greater understanding of the situation than the characters themselves.

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  • 7. 

    Recurring theme in a literary work; recurring theme in literature in general. Maltreatment of women is an example that appears in “Hills Like White Elephants,” a short story by Ernest Hemingway; “The Story of an Hour,” a short story by Kate Chopin; and “The Chrysanthemums,” a short story by John Steinbeck. The love of money as the root of evil is an example that occurs in many works of literature.

    • Conceit

    • Archetype

    • Figurative language

    • Imagery

    • Motif

    Correct Answer
    A. Motif
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "motif" because a motif is a recurring theme or idea in a literary work or in literature in general. In this case, the maltreatment of women and the love of money as the root of evil are examples of motifs that appear in multiple works of literature.

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  • 8. 

    Use of words or phrases in a series without connectives such as and or so. Examples (1) One cause, one country, one heart.–Daniel Webster. (2) Veni, vidi, vici (Latin: I came, I saw, I conquered).–Julius Caesar.

    • Run-on sentence

    • Syntax

    • Asyndeton

    • Anaphora

    • Fragment sentence

    Correct Answer
    A. Asyndeton
    Explanation
    Asyndeton refers to the use of words or phrases in a series without connectives such as "and" or "so". It is a stylistic device that creates a sense of urgency or adds emphasis to the series of items. The examples provided, "One cause, one country, one heart" and "Veni, vidi, vici", demonstrate the use of asyndeton by listing items without using any conjunctions. This technique helps to create a concise and impactful sentence structure.

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  • 9. 

    Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of word groups occurring one after the other. Examples: (1) Give me wine, give me women and give me song.  (2) For everything there is a season . . . a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.–Bible, Ecclesiastes. (3) To die, to sleep; to sleep: perchance to dream.–Shakespeare, Hamlet. 

    • Alliteration

    • Asyndeton

    • Synecdoche

    • Anaphora

    • Connotation

    Correct Answer
    A. Anaphora
    Explanation
    Anaphora is the correct answer because it refers to the repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of word groups occurring one after the other. This is evident in the given examples where certain words or phrases are repeated at the beginning of consecutive clauses or sentences.

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  • 10. 

    Contradictory statement that may actually be true.  Examples: (1) They called him a lion. But in the boxing ring, the lion was a lamb. (2) For slaves, life was death, and death was life.

    • Oxymoron

    • Inversion

    • Metonymy

    • Paradox

    • Epigram

    Correct Answer
    A. Paradox
    Explanation
    A paradox is a statement or situation that may seem contradictory or absurd, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper truth or logic. In the given examples, the statements appear contradictory at first, but they highlight a surprising truth or irony. In the first example, the phrase "the lion was a lamb" suggests that someone who was initially described as fierce and strong turned out to be weak or gentle in a specific context. Similarly, the second example implies that the harsh conditions of slavery made life unbearable, to the point where death might be seen as a release or escape. These paradoxical statements challenge our expectations and provoke deeper reflection.

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  • 11. 

    Having the appearance of truth; realism. In a fictional work, a writer creates unreal characters and situations and asks the reader to pretend that they are real. To help the reader in this task, the writer tells his tale in such a way that he makes it seem credible.

    • False fiction

    • Dramatic irony

    • Farce

    • Parody

    • Verisimilitude

    Correct Answer
    A. Verisimilitude
    Explanation
    Verisimilitude refers to the quality of appearing true or realistic. In the context of a fictional work, it means that the writer creates characters and situations that may not be real, but are presented in a way that makes them believable to the reader. The writer achieves this by using descriptive language, detailed settings, and well-developed characters. Verisimilitude helps to immerse the reader in the story and makes them willing to suspend their disbelief and accept the fictional world as plausible. Therefore, verisimilitude is the correct answer as it accurately describes the concept of creating realism in fiction.

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  • 12. 

    Combining contradictory words to reveal a truth. Examples: (1) Parting is such sweet sorrow.–Shakespeare. (2) Working in a coal mine is living death. (3) The hurricane turned the lush island retreat into a hellish paradise.

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    • Syllogism

    • Inversion

    • Verisimilitude

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxymoron
    Explanation
    An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to create a new meaning or reveal a truth. In the given examples, contradictory words like "sweet sorrow," "living death," and "hellish paradise" are used to convey a deeper meaning or emphasize the contrast between two ideas. The oxymoron highlights the complexity and irony of the situations described, adding depth and impact to the statements.

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  • 13. 

    Substitution of a part to stand for the whole, or the whole to stand for a part. Examples: (1) The Confederates have eyes in Lincoln's government. (The word "eyes" stands for spies.) (2) Jack bought a new set of wheels. ("Wheels" stands for a car.) (3) The law pursued the bank robbers from Maine to Florida. ("Law" stands for police.)

    • Hyperbole

    • Metonymy

    • Apostrophe

    • Synecdoche

    • Symbolism

    Correct Answer
    A. Synecdoche
    Explanation
    Synecdoche is the correct answer because it refers to the substitution of a part to stand for the whole, or the whole to stand for a part. In the given examples, "eyes" is used to represent spies, "wheels" is used to represent a car, and "law" is used to represent the police. These are all instances of synecdoche, where a specific part of something is used to represent the whole thing.

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  • 14. 

    The arrangement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, settings, phrases, or words side-by-side or in similar narrative moments for the purpose of comparison, contrast, rhetorical effect, suspense, or character development. Example: In The Great Gatsby, the explosive fight scene between Tom, Daisy and Gatsby at the hotel over their broken marriage is elegantly contrasted with a wedding scene in order to enhance the dysfunctional nature of their relationship. 

    • Syllogism

    • Parallel structure

    • Juxtaposition

    • Paradox

    • Oxymoron

    Correct Answer
    A. Juxtaposition
    Explanation
    Juxtaposition refers to the arrangement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, settings, phrases, or words side-by-side or in similar narrative moments for various purposes such as comparison, contrast, rhetorical effect, suspense, or character development. In the given example from The Great Gatsby, the explosive fight scene between Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby is contrasted with a wedding scene, highlighting the dysfunctional nature of their relationship. This contrast created through juxtaposition enhances the impact of the scene and emphasizes the stark differences between the two situations.

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  • 15. 

    Substitution of one word or phrase to stand for a word or phrase similar in meaning. Examples: (1) In Shakespeare's time, the crown was anti-Catholic. ("Crown" stands for Queen Elizabeth I.) (2) The White House was severely criticized for its opposition to the tax increase. ("White House" stands for the president or the president and his advisers.) (3) Wall Street welcomes the reduction in interest rates. ("Wall Street" represents investors.) (4) Sweat, not wealth, earned her the respect of her peers. ("Sweat" stands for hard work.)

    • Metaphor

    • Metonymy

    • Synecdoche

    • Anaphora

    • Archetype

    Correct Answer
    A. Metonymy
    Explanation
    Metonymy is the correct answer because it refers to the substitution of one word or phrase with another that is closely associated or related in meaning. In the given examples, words like "crown," "White House," and "Wall Street" are used to represent Queen Elizabeth I, the president and his advisers, and investors respectively. These substitutions help to convey a specific meaning or create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

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  • 16. 

    The ordering of words into meaningful verbal patterns such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. Poets often change conventional word order to place certain emphasis on particular words. Emily Dickinson, for instance, writes about being surprised by a snake in her poem "A narrow Fellow in the Grass," and includes this line: "His notice sudden is." In addition to the alliterative hissing s-sounds here, Dickinson also effectively manipulates the line’s syntax so that the verb is appears unexpectedly at the end, making the snake’s hissing presence all the more "sudden."

    • Rhyme scheme

    • Syntax

    • Diction

    • Colloquialism

    • Parallel structure

    Correct Answer
    A. Syntax
    Explanation
    Syntax refers to the ordering of words into meaningful verbal patterns such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. In the given explanation, it is mentioned that Emily Dickinson manipulates the line's syntax by placing the verb "is" unexpectedly at the end of the line in her poem. This unconventional word order emphasizes the suddenness of the snake's notice, making its hissing presence more impactful. Therefore, syntax is the correct answer as it directly relates to the manipulation of word order in a sentence for specific emphasis or effect.

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  • 17. 

    Speech that bitterly denounces, blames, accuses, or insults a person; speech that viciously attacks a person or his ideas. Example: Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

    • Phillipic

    • Satire

    • Farce

    • Figurative language

    • Colloquialism

    Correct Answer
    A. Phillipic
    Explanation
    A Phillipic is a speech that bitterly denounces, blames, accuses, or insults a person. It is a form of verbal attack that is intended to criticize and condemn someone or their ideas. Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" can be considered a Phillipic because it harshly criticizes and condemns sinners. Satire, farce, figurative language, and colloquialism do not necessarily involve personal attacks or accusations, so they are not the correct answer.

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  • 18. 

    Placement of contrasting or opposing words, phrases, clauses, or sentences side by side. Following are examples:      - I am tall; you are short.      - The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.–Abraham Lincoln, "Gettysburg Address."                      - To err is human, to forgive divine.–Alexander Pope, "Essay on Criticism."

    • Juxtaposition

    • Antithesis

    • Caesura

    • Chiasmus

    • Epigram

    Correct Answer
    A. Antithesis
    Explanation
    Antithesis is the correct answer because it refers to the placement of contrasting or opposing words, phrases, clauses, or sentences side by side. This technique is used to create a strong contrast and emphasize the differences between two ideas. The examples provided in the question demonstrate the use of antithesis by juxtaposing opposing ideas such as tall and short, what we say and what they did, and to err and to forgive.

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  • 19. 

    A symbol, usually an image, which recurs often enough in literature to be recognizable as an element of one's literary experience as a whole. Examples consist of the "innocent babe," the "unheeded prophet," the "enchanted forest" and the "philosopher's stone"

    • Archetype

    • Metaphor

    • Setting

    • Motif

    • Figurative language

    Correct Answer
    A. Archetype
    Explanation
    An archetype is a symbol or image that appears frequently in literature and is recognized as a recurring element in one's literary experience as a whole. It represents a universal pattern or theme that resonates with readers. Examples of archetypes include the "innocent babe," the "unheeded prophet," the "enchanted forest," and the "philosopher's stone." These archetypes have deep cultural and psychological significance, often representing common human experiences or emotions. They add depth and meaning to a literary work, allowing readers to connect with the story on a deeper level.

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  • 20. 

    Type of comedy that relies on exaggeration, horseplay, and unrealistic or improbable situations to provoke laughter. In a farce, plotting takes precedence over characterization. Example: The Importance of Being Earnest

    • Farce

    • Hyperbole

    • Slapstick comedy

    • Parody

    • Satire

    Correct Answer
    A. Farce
    Explanation
    A farce is a type of comedy that relies on exaggeration, horseplay, and unrealistic or improbable situations to provoke laughter. In a farce, the focus is on the plot rather than the development of the characters. This means that the story is driven by absurd and chaotic situations rather than deep and complex characters. The play "The Importance of Being Earnest" is an example of a farce because it uses exaggerated situations and comedic misunderstandings to create humor.

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  • 21. 

    Creation of a positive or opposite idea through negation. Examples: (1) I am not unaware of your predicament. (2) This is no small problem.(3) I'm not forgetful that you served me well.

    • Inversion

    • Negative connotation

    • Understatement

    • Hyperbole

    • Litotes

    Correct Answer
    A. Litotes
    Explanation
    Litotes is a figure of speech that involves the use of understatement to emphasize a point by negating its opposite. In the given examples, the speaker is using negation to create a positive or opposite idea. For instance, in the sentence "I am not unaware of your predicament," the speaker is emphasizing that they are indeed aware of the predicament. Similarly, in the sentence "This is no small problem," the speaker is emphasizing that the problem is significant. Litotes is used to convey a stronger meaning by downplaying or negating the opposite idea.

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  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
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  • Apr 28, 2010
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    Jakespeed
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