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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. Series of events






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






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






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






5. A category or type of literary or artistic work






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






7. Light and humorous drama with a happy ending






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






9. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






10. The highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding






11. Someone to whom private matters are confided






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






13. The use of elevated language over ordinary language






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






15. The prevailing psychological state






16. Attitude or mood towards a subject






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






18. A contradiction or dilemma






19. Events after the climax - leading to the resolution






20. To display emotions and ideas






21. A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way






22. An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally






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






24. A person with powers greater than that of a normal being






25. A worn-out idea or overused expression






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






27. A word imitating the sound it represents






28. A regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem






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






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






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






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






33. The final actions or solution of the plot






34. Subject






35. The process by which the writer develops a character






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






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






38. The main (good) character






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






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






41. Unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)






42. Words mean exactly what they say






43. Address to an absent or imaginary person






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






45. A final settlement






46. Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense






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






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






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






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