AP English Literature Vocab - The Scott Way, Quiz 1

Alliteration

The use, especially in poetry, of the same sound or sounds, especially consonants, at the beginning of several words that are close together

“Round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.”

Allusion

Something that is said or written that is intended to make you think of a particular thing or person

“The film is full of allusions to Hitchcock"

Allocation

The process of giving someone their part of a total amount of something to use in a particular way

“The university is offering moving _________ to anyone who is being displaced from properties it acquires.”

Ascetic

Avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple life, often for religious reasons

“They live a very ascetic life.”

Beguile

To persuade, attract, or interest someone, sometimes in order to deceive them

“He was completely _______ by her beauty.”

Crass

Stupid and without considering how other people might feel

“He made _____ comments about her worn-out clothes.”

Defray

(Especially of an organization) to pay the cost of something

“The company will _____ all your expenses, including car rental.”

Dint

As a result of something

“She got what she wanted by ___ of pleading and threatening.”

Enjoin

To tell someone to do something or to behave in a particular way.

“We were all _______ to be on our best behavior.”

Envoy

Someone who is sent as a representative from one government or organization to another

“a United Nations special ____.”

Interloper

Someone who becomes involved in an activity or a social group without being asked, or enters a place without permission

“Security did not prevent an _______ from getting onto the stage at the opening ceremony.”

Vicarious

Experienced as a result of watching, listening to, or reading about the activities of other people, rather than by doing the activities yourself

“She took _________ pleasure in her friend's achievements.”

Admonish

To tell someone that they have done something wrong

“His mother __________ him for eating too quickly.”

Akimbo

(Of arms or legs) stretched out fully

“A man with arms _____ is balancing an enormous metal dish on his head.”

Lassitude

Physical or mental tiredness

“Shareholders are blaming the company's problems on the ________ of the CEO.”

Licentious

(Especially of a person or their behavior) sexual in an uncontrolled and socially unacceptable way

“He preached to these throngs of people twice daily, urging them to give up their __________ and unjust ways.”

Muse (Noun)

​A person or spirit that gives a writer, painter, etc. ideas and the desire to create things

“He felt that his _______ had deserted him (= that he could no longer write, paint, etc.).”

Muse (Verb)

To think about something carefully and for a long time

“I began to _________ about the possibility of starting my own business.”

Pecuniary

Relating to money

“A ______ matter.”

Plight

An unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one

“Few of us can be unmoved by the ______ of the refugees.”

Presumptuous

A person who is ______________ shows little respect for others by doing things they have no right to do

“It would be presumptuous of me to comment on the matter.”

Subversive

Trying to destroy or damage something, especially an established political system

“__________ ideas/influences”

Vacuous

Not expressing or showing intelligent thought or purpose

“a _______ remark/question/expression/smile”

Amplification

A writer or speaker extends, elaborates, or repeats a word, phrase, or simple sentence to add more detail, increase emotional resonance, and emphasize a core idea.

“The storm was destructive, a raging monster of tearing winds, shattering glass, and flooding waters that stripped the town of its peace.”

Anacoluthon

A sentence starts with one grammatical structure and abruptly veers into a completely different one.

“I will have such revenges on you both that all the world shall—I will do such things, what they are, yet I know not.”