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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 juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance






2. Point of view






3. Giving human characteristics to something that not human






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






5. (tall): short piece of fiction






6. A common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents - each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable






7. Using elements that can be either factual or impressionistic that act to 'paint a picture'






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






9. Dramatic speech to oneself






10. Subject






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






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






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






14. 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






15. An idea that is implied or suggested






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






17. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






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






19. The use of elevated language over ordinary language






20. The attribution of human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects






21. Address to an absent or imaginary person






22. The use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms






23. A contradiction or dilemma






24. The freedom of a poet in writing






25. A regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem






26. A short story teaching a lesson






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






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






29. The final resolution or outcome of the main complication






30. Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense






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






32. Conjoining contradictory terms






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






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






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






36. The series of conflicts building up to a climax






37. The primary position taken by a writer or speaker






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






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






40. A fixed idea or conception of a character or an idea that does not allow for any individuality; often based on religious/social/racial prejudices






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






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






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






44. Agreeable - pleasant - harmonious sound






45. The main (good) character






46. A worn-out idea or overused expression






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






48. An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally






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






50. Humorous imitation