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






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






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






4. A contradiction or dilemma






5. A mournful poem - especially lamenting the dead






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






7. Light and humorous drama with a happy ending






8. Writing that records the conversation that occurs inside a character's head






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






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






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






12. Conjoining contradictory terms






13. Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense






14. Point of view






15. The main (good) character






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






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






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






19. A comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations






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






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






22. Harsh - cutting language or tone intended to ridicule






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






24. The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences






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






26. An evil or wicked person; antagonist






27. Drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character






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






29. (tall): short piece of fiction






30. A worn-out idea or overused expression






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






32. Artistic representation that aims for visual accuracy; accepting the facts






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






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






35. To display emotions and ideas






36. Anything that stands for or represents something else






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






38. The final actions or solution of the plot






39. Inversion of the natural or usual word order






40. Subject






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






42. The freedom of a poet in writing






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






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






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






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






47. Humorous imitation






48. A play on words






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






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