terms

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

Back: A brief historical, mythological, biblical, or literary reference assumed to be sufficiently well known to be recognized by the reader.

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

Back: The character who is opposed to the protagonist. Usually, the antagonist is the villain.

Question 3

Atmosphere

Answer 3

Back: The mood within the literary work. The overall feeling created by the author’s choice of words.

Question 4

Characterization

Answer 4

Back: The methods a writer uses to communicate information about characters to the reader. This includes:

• The appearance of the character
• What the character says, thinks, and does
• What other characters say about them

Question 5

Climax

Answer 5

Back: The point of highest interest or suspense in the story.

Question 6

Comic Relief

Answer 6

Back: A humorous scene or speech meant to provide relief from emotional intensity and, by contrast, heighten the seriousness of the story.

Question 7

Conflict

Answer 7

Back: A struggle or problem in the plot, building in the rising action and culminating at the climax.
Types of Conflict:

Person vs. Person
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Technology
Person vs. Supernatural

Question 8

Denouement

Answer 8

Back: The unravelling of the plot or complications through some kind of revelation.

Question 9

Falling Action

Answer 9

The part of the story after the climax, when conflicts start to be resolved.

Question 10

Foil

Answer 10

Back: A character or situation that serves to set off another by contrast.

Question 11

Foreshadowing

Answer 11

Back: An indication or prediction of events that will occur in the future.

Question 12

Flashback

Answer 12

Back: An incident that occurs before the time established in the story.

Question 13

Hyperbole

Answer 13

Back: Exaggeration for emphasis that is not meant to be taken literally.

Question 14

Imagery

Answer 14

Back: The use of language to evoke sense impressions for the reader.

Question 15

Crisis

Answer 15

Back: A turning point in the plot after the exposition that leads to the conflict in the rising action.

Question 16

Irony

Answer 16

Verbal Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant.
Situational Irony: The opposite happens than what was expected.
Dramatic Irony: The audience knows more than a character on stage.

Question 17

Juxtaposition

Answer 17

Back: The placement of events, characters, etc., side-by-side for comparison or contrast.

Question 18

Metaphor

Answer 18

Back: A comparison of two or more unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Question 19

Nemesis

Answer 19

Back: arch enemy

Question 20

Oxymoron

Answer 20

Back: The combination of two usually contradictory words (e.g., “eloquent silence”).

Question 21

Paradox

Answer 21

Back: A statement that seems contradictory but actually has a valid meaning.

Question 22

Pathos

Answer 22

Back: Pity felt for a character who suffers.

Question 23

Pathetic Fallacy

Answer 23

Back: When nature is in sync with the actions and emotions of humans.

Question 24

Personification

Answer 24

Back: A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas.

Question 25

Plot

Answer 25

Back: The series of connected events in a work of literature.

Question 26

Point of View

Answer 26

Back: The position from which the author tells the story: First Person: "I" Third Person Limited: "He" or "She" (only knows one character's thoughts) Third Person Omniscient: "He" or "She" (knows all characters' thoughts and feelings)

Question 27

Protagonist

Answer 27

Back: The central character in a work of literature, usually the hero or heroine.

Question 28

Resolution

Answer 28

Back: The conclusion of the story that answers any questions the reader may have.

Question 29

Rising Action

Answer 29

Back: The conflict or suspense that builds towards a climax in a work of literature.

Question 30

Satire

Answer 30

Back: The use of irony to ridicule an idea, person, or thing, often to provoke change. It usually mocks human vices.

Question 31

Setting

Answer 31

Back: The physical surroundings of a story, including time, place, and conditions, as well as the political, social, or physical environment.

Question 32

Simile

Answer 32

Back: A comparison between two different things, actions, or feelings using "like," "as," or "than."

Question 33

Style

Answer 33

Back: The characteristic ways an individual author uses language, including: Word choice Sentence length and complexity Tone Patterns of sound Use of imagery or symbols

Question 34

Suspense

Answer 34

Back: A technique used by the author to keep readers interested and wondering what will happen next.

Question 35

Symbol

Answer 35

Back: An image, object, character, or action that stands for an idea beyond its literal meaning.

Question 36

Theme

Answer 36

Back: The central idea or message being communicated to the reader in a work of literature.