Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






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






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






5. A character or force in conflict with the main character






6. Dictionary definition of a word






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






8. An idea that is implied or suggested






9. Dramatic speech to oneself






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






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






12. Words mean exactly what they say






13. 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






14. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






15. Agreeable - pleasant - harmonious sound






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






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






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






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






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






21. The use of elevated language over ordinary language






22. A group of lines in a poem






23. Poetry that uses the appearance of the verse lines on the page to suggest or imitate the poem's subject






24. A mournful poem - especially lamenting the dead






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






26. The parts before or after a word or statement that influence its meaning






27. A form of language spoken by people in a particular region or group






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






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






30. Witty language used to convey insults or scorn; poking fun at the foibles of society






31. The primary position taken by a writer or speaker






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






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






34. Unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)






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






36. Series of events






37. Emotional appeal






38. Before the main part or actually story






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






40. Attitude or mood towards a subject






41. Word choice






42. A category or type of literary or artistic work






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






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






45. A poem in which a speaker addresses a silent listener






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






47. Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense






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






49. A word imitating the sound it represents






50. The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or - incongruity between what is expected and what actually happens