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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. Agreeable - pleasant - harmonious sound






3. The process by which the writer develops a character






4. The final resolution or outcome of the main complication






5. To inform the reader about something using facts - ideas and containing a focus subject






6. A word imitating the sound it represents






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






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






9. Exaggeration






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






11. A transition to an earlier event or scene that interrupts the normal chronological development of the story






12. The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.






13. Address to an absent or imaginary person






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






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






16. The main (good) character






17. How a sentence was formed to convey an emotion - image - or aspect of language.






18. Someone to whom private matters are confided






19. A play on words






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






21. Harsh - cutting language or tone intended to ridicule






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






23. The freedom of a poet in writing






24. An artistic movement emphasizing the imagination and characterized by incongruous juxtapositions and lack of conscious control






25. Use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse






26. When - where - and the weather in which the story takes place






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






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






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






30. A message that digresses from the main subject






31. A short - witty saying expressing a single thought or observation






32. Writing that records the conversation that occurs inside a character's head






33. A verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme






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






35. The use of elevated language over ordinary language






36. Unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)






37. The opposite of exaggeration; less than intended.






38. Before the main part or actually story






39. A worn-out idea or overused expression






40. A mournful poem - especially lamenting the dead






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






42. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






43. The repetition of sounds at the ends of words






44. Suggestions or hints






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






46. The prevailing psychological state






47. Poetic meter that has one stressed and a varying amount of unstressed syllables






48. Conjoining contradictory terms






49. Written to convince the reader of an opinion or point






50. Dictionary definition of a word