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SAT Subject Test: Literature

Subjects : sat, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Symbolism; substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in 'they counted heads') or with which it is closely identified






2. A long - lyrical poem - usually serious or meditative in nature with complete stanza forms






3. Narrator tells a story; events unfold through time






4. Point of view in which the narrator is outside of the story - an observer; can be limited or omniscient






5. Exposition tells or explains how to do something; includes ideas and facts about the focus subject






6. Address to an absent or imaginary person






7. Harsh - cutting language or tone intended to ridicule






8. Word or phrase describing a person or thing; descriptive phrase characterizing a person (often contemptous)






9. A protagonist who is more ordinary than a traditional hero(ine) or one who is somewhat villainous






10. Opposition between characters or forces (especially motivating the development of the plot)






11. Recurring at regular intervals






12. Description that appeals to the senses (sight - sound - smell - touch - taste)






13. Word choice






14. The speaker - voice - or character assumed by the author of a piece of writing






15. The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people






16. Dramatic speech to oneself






17. The repetition of consonants (or consonant patterns) especially at the ends of words






18. A stanza consisting of two successive lines of verse






19. A traditional story presenting supernatural characters and episodes that help explain natural events






20. An event or action in a work of literature that serves to intensify and develop the conflict.






21. A short moral story (often with animal characters)






22. A group of lines in a poem






23. A play on words






24. An expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances






25. A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events; often handed down orally






26. The final resolution or outcome of the main complication






27. The overall emotion created by a work of literature






28. Told from the narrator's point of view - using 'I' - 'me' - 'we' - 'our' - etc.






29. Presentation of the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur






30. (usually long) dramatic speech by a single speaker






31. A brief - cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.






32. The series of conflicts building up to a climax






33. The perspective from which a story is told






34. A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work






35. The event that sets the plot into motion - triggering the conflict






36. A regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem






37. The prevailing psychological state






38. Serves by contrast to call attention to another's good qualities






39. An evil or wicked person; antagonist






40. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






41. (tall): short piece of fiction






42. The reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions






43. The repetition of sounds at the ends of words






44. Extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places; often dealing with love






45. A couplet consisting of two rhymed lines of iambic pentamenter and written in an elevated style






46. Unstable or critical situation - usually turning point - in which the outcome will make a decisive difference






47. Rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor






48. A common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents - each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable






49. Unrhymed verse without a consistent metrical pattern






50. A comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations