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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. 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






2. An evil or wicked person; antagonist






3. Anything that stands for or represents something else






4. The process by which the writer develops a character






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






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






7. Word choice






8. A mournful poem - especially lamenting the dead






9. The freedom of a poet in writing






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






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






12. Harsh - cutting language or tone intended to ridicule






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






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






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






16. Unrhymed verse without a consistent metrical pattern






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






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






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






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






21. An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally






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






23. A regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem






24. To display emotions and ideas






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






26. A final settlement






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






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






29. Inversion of the natural or usual word order






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






31. A message that digresses from the main subject






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






33. Light and humorous drama with a happy ending






34. The repetition of consonants (or consonant patterns) especially at the ends of words






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






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






37. A traditional story presenting supernatural characters and episodes that help explain natural events






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






39. The repetition of sounds at the ends of words






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






41. Words mean exactly what they say






42. A question asked for an effect - not actually requiring an answer; emphasizing the obvious






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






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






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






46. To inform the reader about something using facts - ideas and containing a focus subject






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






48. A contradiction or dilemma






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






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