AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COM-
POSITION TERMS EXAMS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
allegory - answers-using character and/or story elements symbolically to rep-
resent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning alliteration - answers-
the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighbor-
ing words allusion - answers-a direct/indirect reference to something which is
presumably commonly known ambiguity - answers-having multiple meaning,
either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage
analogy - answers-a similarity or comparison between two different things or
the relationship between them. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by
comparison. antecedent - answers-the word, phrase, or clause referred to by
a pronoun antithesis - answers-the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct
opposite aphorism - answers-a terse statement of known authorship which
expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk
proverb) apostrophe - answers-a figure of speech that directly addresses an
absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty)
caricature - answers-a verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or
distort a person's characteristics for comic effect clause - answers-contains
both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a
sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an in-
dependent clause. colloquialism - answers-use of slang/informalities in
speech or writing conceit - answers-a fanciful expression, usually in the form
of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar
objects. connotation - answers-the non-literal, associative meaning of a
word; the implied/suggested meaning. denotation - answers-the strict, literal
dictionary definition of a word diction - answers-the writer's word choices di-
dactic - answers-literally means teaching; describes words that are for teach-
ing or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles euphemism -
answers-less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly
remains instead of corpse extended metaphor - answers-a metaphor devel-
oped at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work figurative
language - answers-writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning
hyperbole - answers-a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or
overstatement imagery - answers-sensory details of figurative language used
to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions invective - answers-an
emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive lan-
guage irony - answers-the contrast between what is explicitly stated and
what is really meant. Or, the difference between what appears to be and
what is actually true. verbal irony - answers-the words literally state the op-
posite of the writer's meaning situational irony - answers-when events turn
out the opposite of what was expected dramatic irony - answers-when facts
or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known
POSITION TERMS EXAMS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
allegory - answers-using character and/or story elements symbolically to rep-
resent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning alliteration - answers-
the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighbor-
ing words allusion - answers-a direct/indirect reference to something which is
presumably commonly known ambiguity - answers-having multiple meaning,
either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage
analogy - answers-a similarity or comparison between two different things or
the relationship between them. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by
comparison. antecedent - answers-the word, phrase, or clause referred to by
a pronoun antithesis - answers-the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct
opposite aphorism - answers-a terse statement of known authorship which
expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk
proverb) apostrophe - answers-a figure of speech that directly addresses an
absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty)
caricature - answers-a verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or
distort a person's characteristics for comic effect clause - answers-contains
both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a
sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an in-
dependent clause. colloquialism - answers-use of slang/informalities in
speech or writing conceit - answers-a fanciful expression, usually in the form
of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar
objects. connotation - answers-the non-literal, associative meaning of a
word; the implied/suggested meaning. denotation - answers-the strict, literal
dictionary definition of a word diction - answers-the writer's word choices di-
dactic - answers-literally means teaching; describes words that are for teach-
ing or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles euphemism -
answers-less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly
remains instead of corpse extended metaphor - answers-a metaphor devel-
oped at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work figurative
language - answers-writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning
hyperbole - answers-a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or
overstatement imagery - answers-sensory details of figurative language used
to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions invective - answers-an
emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive lan-
guage irony - answers-the contrast between what is explicitly stated and
what is really meant. Or, the difference between what appears to be and
what is actually true. verbal irony - answers-the words literally state the op-
posite of the writer's meaning situational irony - answers-when events turn
out the opposite of what was expected dramatic irony - answers-when facts
or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known
