literary terms quiz

Question 1

Alliteration:

Answer 1

Repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words (“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”)

Question 2

Allusion:

Answer 2

A reference to a well-known person, place, work of art, etc.

Question 3

Anecdote:

Answer 3

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Question 4

Protagonist:

Answer 4

The main character in a story; the character that the action follows.

Question 5

Antagonist:

Answer 5

The obstacle or challenge the protagonist attempts to overcome (weather, enemy, etc.)

Question 6

Soliloquy:

Answer 6

A character sharing thoughts with the audience; thinking out loud; “breaking the 4th wall.”

Question 7

Aside:

Answer 7

A short soliloquy. A character in a play makes a short comment to the audience.

Question 8

Climax:

Answer 8

The high point of the rising action of a story.

Question 9

Monologue:

Answer 9

One character speaking, usually for a long time.

Question 10

Dialogue:

Answer 10

Multiple characters having a conversation.

Question 11

Epic:

Answer 11

A long narrative poem or story about heroes.

Question 12

Foreshadowing:

Answer 12

A hint about what will come later in a story.

Question 13

Genre:

Answer 13

A type or kind of literature (poetry, drama, novel, etc.)

Question 14

Irony:

Answer 14

The opposite of what you expect (different from “coincidence”).

Question 15

Metaphor:

Answer 15

A figure of speech used for comparison; use of figurative language for description.

Question 16

Simile:

Answer 16

A comparison using the word “like” or “as.”

Question 17

Moral:

Answer 17

A lesson taught by a story.

Question 18

Parable:

Answer 18

A story that teaches a moral lesson.

Question 19

Novel:

Answer 19

A long work of fiction; a fictional book.

Question 20

Onomatopoeia:

Answer 20

Words that imitate sounds (Buzz, Hiss, Roar.)

Question 21

Oxymoron:

Answer 21

Two words that are opposite in meaning combined to make a new meaning. (“Jumbo Shrimp,” “Alone Together.”)

Question 22

Personification:

Answer 22

Attributing human or living characteristics to non-human or non-living things. Naming your car is an example of personification.

Question 23

Parody:

Answer 23

A work of art imitating another work of art for comic effect.

Question 24

Plot:

Answer 24

What happens in a story. The action and conclusion of a story.

Question 25

Prose:

Answer 25

Ordinary, non-poetic writing.

Question 26

Stanza:

Answer 26

A division of lines in a poem or song. The poetic version of what would be called a “paragraph” in prose writing.