Freshman English 2026 Final Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive practice flashcard set covering The Odyssey, American Voices literary terms, Romeo and Juliet, and MLA formatting based on the Final Exam Study Guide.

What traits characterize an epic hero like Odysseus?

An epic hero undertakes a quest for something of value, displays qualities valued by society, receives supernatural aid, has a tragic flaw (like hubris), is physically impressive, brave, wise, cunning, and resourceful.

What is the definition of an 'Odyssey'?

A long, difficult journey in search of something of value.

What is an 'Epic'?

A long, narrative poem about a larger-than-life hero.

What is a 'Myth'?

A traditional story that explains a belief, ritual, or natural phenomenon.

What is an 'Epic simile'?

A figure of speech using like, as, or resembles that compares heroic or epic events to simple and easily understandable everyday events.

Give an example of an epic simile from the text.

Comparing the six-headed monster Scylla snatching men to someone fishing, or comparing the suitors on the hall floor to fish dumped out of a net onto the sand.

Define 'Dramatic irony'.

When the reader or audience knows something that the characters do not know.

Define 'Verbal irony'.

When words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant.

Define 'Situational Irony'.

When the actual outcome of an event or situation is the exact opposite of what you would logically expect to happen.

What is 'Hospitality' (Xenia) following the Greek tradition?

The generous and courteous relationship between guest/stranger and host; neglecting it was believed to anger the gods and goddesses.

What is 'Hubris'?

Dangerous overconfidence, excessive pride, or arrogance.

What role does Athena play in The Odyssey?

The goddess of wisdom who is the most influential deity in advising and supporting Odysseus on his quest to return home to Ithaca.

Why does Poseidon seek revenge on Odysseus?

Because Odysseus stabs Poseidon's one-eyed son, Polyphemus, in the eye.

How does Zeus punish Odysseus's men for killing Helios's cattle?

He sends a thunderbolt to destroy their boat, causing all of the men to drown except for Odysseus.

How do Odysseus and his men blind Polyphemus?

They get him drunk on wine and then stab him in the eye with a stake made from a six-foot section of an olive tree.

How do Odysseus and his men escape the cave of Polyphemus?

They escape on the bellies of rams; the men are tied three abreast, and Odysseus holds onto the belly of the wooliest ram.

What name does Odysseus give to Polyphemus to deceive him?

Nohbdy.

What are the three parts of Polyphemus's prayer to Poseidon?

He prays that Odysseus never makes it home to Ithaca, but if he does, that it takes years, he loses all his men, and he faces bitter days at home.

Describe the monster Scylla.

A six-headed serpent monster who snatches six of Odysseus's men from their ship.

How did Penelope delay marrying the suitors for three years?

She wove a shroud/burial cloth every day and unwove it every night.

What test must a suitor pass to marry Penelope?

A suitor must string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow through $12$ iron ax-helve sockets (rings).

What are the steps in Odysseus’s plan to regain his kingdom?

Remove the suitors' weapons from the hall, lock the suitors inside the palace compound, and lock the women safely in their rooms.

What is 'Direct characterization'?

When the author states a character’s traits outright.

What is 'Indirect characterization'?

When the author provides clues about a character by describing their appearance, actions, speech, and how other characters react to them.

Distinguish between 'External' and 'Internal' conflict.

External conflict is a struggle against an outside force; internal conflict is a struggle within the character themselves.

What is 'Foreshadowing'?

The use of clues in a literary work that suggest events that have yet to occur, helping to create suspense.

Give an example of a simile from Romeo and Juliet.

'Death lies on Juliet like an untimely frost.'

What is a 'Soliloquy'?

A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage, or thinking he or she is alone.

What is an 'Oxymoron' and give examples from Romeo and Juliet.

Contradictory or opposite words that convey a meaning, such as 'cold fire', 'sick health', or 'still-waking sleep'.

What are 'Character foils'?

Characters whose opposite qualities provide contrast, making those qualities stand out more, such as Mercutio and Romeo or Tybalt and Benvolio.

How does a 'Tragedy' differ from other genres?

It results in a catastrophe or great misfortune for the main character (tragic hero), often caused by a tragic flaw or weakness.

What was 'The Globe'?

The London theater where Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the $16$th and $17$th century.

Who is Queen Mab?

A dream fairy described by Mercutio in a monologue while on the way to the Capulet masquerade ball.

What defines the Climax of Romeo and Juliet?

It begins with Romeo’s death by drinking poison and ends with Juliet stabbing herself with Romeo’s dagger.

What is the meaning of 'Wherefore art thou, Romeo?'

'Why are you Romeo?' or 'Why must you have that name?'

Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

He hopes the marriage will stop the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.

What are the steps of Friar Laurence’s potion plan?

Juliet pretends to agree to marry Paris, tells the nurse she will sleep alone, drinks a potion to appear dead for $42$ hours, is placed in the vault, and then waits for Romeo to take her to Mantua.

What is the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet?

A $14$-line lyric poem consisting of $3$ quatrains (groups of four lines) and a couplet (two consecutive rhyming lines).

What is the standard rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?

abab cdcd efef gg

What is 'Iambic pentameter'?

A line of poetry with $10$ syllables consisting of $5$ iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable).

What is the proper MLA heading format?

Your name, Teacher’s name, Class name, Date (formatted as Day Month Year).

What is the standard MLA font and size?

Times New Roman, $12$

What is the correct MLA parenthetical reference format?

"…" (Author’s last name Page number). Example: "…" (Steinbeck $45$).

How are article and book titles punctuated in MLA?

Article titles are put in quotation marks, and book titles are italicized.