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






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






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






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






5. The series of conflicts building up to a climax






6. Narrator tells a story; events unfold through time






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






8. The prevailing psychological state






9. Subject






10. The freedom of a poet in writing






11. 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






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






13. The final resolution or outcome of the main complication






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. Anything that stands for or represents something else






21. Word choice






22. Rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor






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






24. A regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem






25. 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






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






27. The opposite of exaggeration; less than intended.






28. A message that digresses from the main subject






29. A long - lyrical poem - usually serious or meditative in nature with complete stanza forms






30. Something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred






31. A general truth or rule of conduct; a short saying






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






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






34. (tall): short piece of fiction






35. A group of lines in a poem






36. The different patterns of development or methods of organization that can be used for self-expression - providing information - persuasion - and entertainment






37. Description that appeals to the senses (sight - sound - smell - touch - taste)






38. Humorous imitation






39. Words mean exactly what they say






40. Events after the climax - leading to the resolution






41. An expression that cannot be understood if taken literally






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






43. Word or phrase describing a person or thing; descriptive phrase characterizing a person (often contemptous)






44. Exaggeration






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






46. Conjoining contradictory terms






47. The overall emotion created by a work of literature






48. A worn-out idea or overused expression






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






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