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. Words mean exactly what they say






2. (tall): short piece of fiction






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






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






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






6. The overall emotion created by a work of literature






7. The process by which the writer develops a character






8. A type of poem - telling a story - meant to be sung; both lyrical and narrative in nature






9. Suggestions or hints






10. An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally






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






12. Attitude or mood towards a subject






13. A final settlement






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






15. 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






16. Word choice






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






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






19. 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






20. Exaggeration






21. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






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






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






24. The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences






25. The primary position taken by a writer or speaker






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






27. Emotional appeal






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






29. Dictionary definition of a word






30. Light and humorous drama with a happy ending






31. An evil or wicked person; antagonist






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






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






34. Events after the climax - leading to the resolution






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






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






37. The prevailing psychological state






38. Before the main part or actually story






39. A reference to a well-known person - place - event - literary work - or work of art






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






41. Someone to whom private matters are confided






42. The final actions or solution of the plot






43. A message that digresses from the main subject






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






45. Harsh - cutting language or tone intended to ridicule






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






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






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






49. Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense






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