Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What is an oxymoron?

1. A figure of speech combining opposite terms

2. A poetic device using repetition

3. A narrative with a moral lesson

4. A paradoxical statement with two opposing ideas

The correct answer is: A figure of speech combining opposite terms

An oxymoron is defined as a figure of speech that combines opposite terms to create a unique, often thought-provoking phrase. This literary device is effective in conveying complex meanings or juxtaposing contrasting ideas in a concise manner. For example, phrases like "bittersweet," "deafening silence," and "jumbo shrimp" encapsulate opposing concepts, which adds depth to the expression and invites the reader or listener to ponder the relationship between the seemingly contradictory elements. While there are other literary devices that involve opposites or contradictions, such as paradoxes, an oxymoron is specifically characterized by the pairing of two opposing words or ideas within a single term. This distinction helps to clarify why the correct choice accurately represents the concept of an oxymoron as understood in literature.