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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. The primary position taken by a writer or speaker






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






3. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






4. Suggestions or hints






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






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






7. The final actions or solution of the plot






8. Word choice






9. 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






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






11. A comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations






12. Exaggeration






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






14. The series of conflicts building up to a climax






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






16. Emotional appeal






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






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






19. The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences






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






21. The opposite of exaggeration; less than intended.






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






23. Identification with and understanding of another's situation - feelings - and motives






24. Humorous imitation






25. A category or type of literary or artistic work






26. Series of events






27. Events after the climax - leading to the resolution






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






29. Inversion of the natural or usual word order






30. Subject






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






32. The process by which the writer develops a character






33. The prevailing psychological state






34. To display emotions and ideas






35. A mournful poem - especially lamenting the dead






36. The main (good) character






37. The use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot






38. The freedom of a poet in writing






39. (tall): short piece of fiction






40. 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






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






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






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






44. A short story teaching a lesson






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






46. Narrator tells a story; events unfold through time






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






48. A play on words






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






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