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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. A category or type of literary or artistic work






2. Conjoining contradictory terms






3. Background introducing the characters - setting - and basic situation






4. Written to persuade audience of the truth (or falsehood) the speaker wishes to make understood






5. The opposite of exaggeration; less than intended.






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






7. Writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally - often creating comparisons






8. A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (or vice versa) - the specific for the general (or vice versa) - or the material for the thing made from it






9. The prevailing psychological state






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






11. A story that is usually passed down orally and becomes part of a community's tradition






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






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






14. A question asked for an effect - not actually requiring an answer; emphasizing the obvious






15. A short story teaching a lesson






16. Someone to whom private matters are confided






17. Short (narrative) account of an incident (especially a biographical one)






18. A general truth or rule of conduct; a short saying






19. Figure of speech; comparison not using like or as






20. A contradiction or dilemma






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






22. A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing






23. Figure of speech; comparison using 'like' or 'as'






24. Exaggeration






25. Something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred






26. Suggestions or hints






27. A comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations






28. Address to an absent or imaginary person






29. The freedom of a poet in writing






30. Before the main part or actually story






31. The juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance






32. Unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)






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






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






35. A stanza consisting of two successive lines of verse






36. A play on words






37. Emotional appeal






38. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






39. Drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character






40. (absurd): plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life - usually to show that modern life is pointless






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






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






43. The choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work






44. Artistic representation that aims for visual accuracy; accepting the facts






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






46. Inversion of the natural or usual word order






47. Light and humorous drama with a happy ending






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






49. A message that digresses from the main subject






50. Substitution of an inoffensive term for one that is less pleasant