Literature Questions cover topics emphasized in most high school courses Because of course differences, most students will find that thee are some questions on topics with which they ae not familiar, You may not be able to complet all the questions inthe time given, but itis rot necessary to get every question correct to get a high score or ven the highest score on the test. Skills Covered 1 Interpret themes and meanings of text = Understand both denotations and connotations of words in context Recognize the structure of a text, including genre, development, and organization ‘= Respond to a writers use of language, including diction, imagery, and figurative language, and to its effects onthe reader ‘= Analyze aspects of narration, including narrative voice, tone, and point of view ‘= Analyze poetry in terms of speaker, audience, occasion, and purpose = Understand characterization in narrative and dramatic selections Recommended Preparation ‘There is no suggested reading list to prepare forthe Literature Subject Test. We recommend: = Close, critical reading of English and American literature froma Yatiety of historical periods and genres = Reading of complete novels and plays, not just excerpts Understanding of basic literary terminology, such as speaker, ‘one, image, irony, alliteration, stanza = Three or four years of literary study at the college-preparatory level Independent, critical reading of poetry, prose, and drama res Veo ES ‘About 60 multiple-choice quastions Six to sight reading gelections followed by sets of four to 12 questions Source of Questions English Iterature American Iterazure Other literature written in English Chronology Renaissance and 17th eontury 18th and 19¢h centuries 20th century 40% Gonre Pootry 40%-50% Prose 40%-50% Drama and other 0% 10% “The dseibution of passages may vary i different versions of ‘he test. The chart above indicatas typical ar average content. Sample Questions Questions on the Literature Subject Test are presented as sets of questions about reading selections. The directions that follow are identical to those in the test. All questions on the test are multiple choice questions in which you must choose the BEST response from the five choices offered, For these sample materials and for the actual test, the date printed atthe end of each passage or poem is the original publication dae or, in some cases, the estimated date of ‘composition ee ‘This test consists of selections from literary works and questions on their content, fomm, and style. After reading each passage or "poem, choose the best answer to each question and filin the ‘corresponding circle on the answer sheet. ‘Note: Pay particular attention tothe requlremance of questions ‘that contain the words NOT, LEAST, or EXCEPT, ‘Questions 1-4, Read the following passage carefully before you choose your answers, By the time the man with the camera had cut across ‘our neighbor's yard, the twins were out ofthe trees swingin low and Granny was onto the steps, the screen ‘Hse door bammin soft and scratchy against her palms. ©) “We thought we'd get a shot or two of the house and everything and then ...” “Good mornin,” Granny cut him off. And smiled that smile. “Good mornin,” he said, head all down the way (@0) Bingo does when you yel at him about the bones on the kitchen floor, “Nice place you got here, aunty. We thought we'd takea. ..” Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests 5“Did you?” said Granny with her eyebrows. Cathy pulled up her socks and giggled. (5) “Nice things here,” said the man buzzin his camera ‘over the yard. The pecan barrels, the sled, me and Cathy, the flowers, the painted stones along the driveway, the trees, the twins, the toolshed. “Idon't know about the thing, the it, and the stuff.” (20) said Granny stil talkin with her eyebrows. “Just people here is what I tend to consider.” ‘Camera man stopped buzzin. Cathy giggled into her collar. “Mornin, ladies,” @ new man said. He had come up (25) behind us when we weren't lookin. “And gents,” discoverin the twins givin him a nasty look. “We're filmin for the county,” he said with a smile, “Mind if ‘we shoot a bit around here?” “Ido indeed,” said Granny with no smile. 0) Smilin man was smiling up a storm. So was Cathy. But he didn't seem to heve another word to say, s0 he and the camera man backed on out the yard, but you could hear the camera buzzin still, “Suppose you just shut that machine off” said 5) Granny real low through her teeth and took a step down off the porch and then another. “Now, aunty,” Camera said pointin the thing straight at her. “Your mama and I are not related.” ag7) After Granny’ “Good mornin’ (line 7), the camera man probably behaves as he does because he (A)_is made to realize that he is intruding (B) suspects that he isin physical danger (©) hopes to win Granny's affection by appearing at ease (D) is relieved that an adult is present * (@)_ realizes that he is disturbing the tidiness of the yard 2, The tone of “Now, aunty” (line 37) is most accurately described as (A) expectant (8) patronizing (© accusatory (D) obedient respectful 3. Granny’ final comment cai best be understood as 2 (A) reluctant confession (B) tentative assertion © witty joke (D) surprising revelation (©) strong rebuke ae 6 Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests 4. The episode reveals a conflict between (A)_ propriety and impertinence (B) virtue and corruption (©) kindness and cruelty (D)_passiveness and aggression (B) refinementand grossness Questions 5-9. Read the following excerpt from a poem carefully before you choose your answers. (One summer evening (led by her)'I found Alittle boat tied to a willow tree Within a rocky cave, its usual home. line Straight | unloosed her chain, and stepping in (5) Pushed from the shore. It was an act of stealth And troubled pleasure, nor without the voice ‘Of mountain-echoes did my boat move on; Leaving behind her still, on either side, ‘Small circles glittering idly in the moon, (G0) Until they melted all into one track Of sparkling light. But nov like one who rows, Proud of his skill, to reach a chosen point With an unswerving line, I fixed my view Upon the summit ofa craggy ridge, 5) The horizon’s utmost boundary; for above ‘Was nothing but the stars and the grey sky. She was an efi pinnace;lustily I dipped my oars into the silent lake, And, as rose upon the stroke, my boat (20) Went heaving throngh the water like a swans ‘When, from behind that craggy steep till then ‘The horizon’s bound, a huge peak, black and huge. ‘As if with voluntary power instinct Upréared its head. Istruck and struck again, 29) And growingstill in stature the grim shape TTovrered up between me and the stars, and still, For so it seemed, with purpose of its own ‘And measured motion like a living thing, Strode after me. With trembling oars turned, 0) And through the silent water stole my way Back to the covert of the willow tr ‘There in her mooring_place Heft my bari — ‘And through the meadovis homeward went, in grave ‘And serious moods but after I had seen (65) ‘That spectacle, for many days, my brain ‘Worked with a dim and undetermined sense Of unknown modes of being; oer my thoughts ‘There hung a darkness, call it solitude Or blank desertion. No familiar shapes 40) Remained, no pleasant images of trees, Of sea or sky, no colours of green fields; But huge and mighty forms, that do not live Like living men, moved slowly through the mind By day, and were a trouble to my dreams. ‘nature (1850) *aboat5. ‘The excerpt is best described as (A) anenthusiastic celebration of youthful optimism ()_anironic self portrait colored by satiric observations (© an imaginative evocation without didactic intention (D) a symbolic representation of intellectual creativity (©) anarrative episode with philosophical implications 6. Inlines 1-7, which of the following devices is used to present nature, the boat, and the mountain echoes? (A) Personification (@) Apostrophe (© Rhyme (D) Paradox (E) Simile 7. Inlines 6-7, “the voice/Of mountain-echoes” serves to reinforce the speaker’s sense of (a) freedom (B) omnipotence (©) furtiveness (D) enthusiasm (B) despondency 8, Atthe conclusion ofthe excerpt, the “huge pea” (line 22) seems to represent which ofthe following fr the speaker? (A) Anemblem of the beauty of the natural world (B) A figure of undefined and unsettling significance (© Amallegorical representation of sin itself (D) Acurious natural phenomenon (8) A trivial figment of the speaker's imagination 9. Which ofthe following best describes the change inthe outlock ofthe speaker during the course ofthis excerpt? (A) Naiveté to cynicism (B) Bravery to cowardice (©) Hope to despair (D) Daring to uncertainty (B) Eagerness to sloth Questions 10-13. Read the following poem carefully before you choose your answers. Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth, Fenc'd by these rebel pow that thee array, Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth, tine Painting thy outward walls so costly gay? ) Why sollarge cost, having so short a lease, ‘Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend? Shall worms, inheritors of this excess, Eat up thy charge? Is this thy body's end? ‘Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant’ oss, (10) Andlet that pine to aggravate thy stores Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross; Within be fed, without be rich no more: So shalt thou feed on Death, that feeds on men, And Death once dead, there's no more dying then. (1609) 10, The dramatic situation in the poem is that of (A) ayouth speaking to lover (B) apriest speaking toa sinner (©) areformer addressing an impoverished person (D) God addressing any human soul (©) anindividual addressing his or her own soul 11. Inthe context of the poem, “Painting thy outward walls so costly gay” (line 4) refers to (A) camouflage (B)_ writing poetry (©) attending to physical appearances (D) pretending to be happy (preparations fora celebration 12, The poet signals a major shift at line 9 by changing from (A) entirely negative to entirely positive imagery (B) imagery of permanence to imagery of change (© direct address to impersonal statement (D)_ material to spiritual imagery (© questions to commands 13, Which of the following best describes the theme of the concluding couplet (lines 13-14)? (A)_A confession of sin before an almighty judge (B)Anaflirmation ofthe immortality ofthe soul (©) A declaration of rebellion against the powers of fate (D) Anaccusation thet death i a faithless servant (BA surrender to the inexplicable nature of life ‘The difficulty of sample Literature questions is reported by ‘the set only. (The complexity of iterary text often intiyences ‘the difficulty of the questions asked about i.) Questions 4-4 overall are an easy set, questions 6-9 overall are a set of ‘average difficulty, and questions 10-13 overall are a hard set. LA AA 7¢ 10.8 13.8 2B BE 8B 1c aE 6A 8D 12E Answer explanations for these practice questions are available online. Visit view and download the complete document. t-collegeboard.org/practice/literature to Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests 75 8 United States History Questions caver topics emphasized in most high school courses. Because of course differences, most students will find that there are some questions on topics with which they are not familiar. This is nothing to worry about. You may not be able to complete all the questions in the time given, but i s not necessary to get every ‘question correct to get a high score or even the highest score on. the test. Skills Covered in the Context of United States History ‘= Understand historical terms, concepts, and generalizations Recall historical information and chronology 1 Understand significant aspects of US. history 1» Analyze and interpret primary sources Relate ideas to charts, maps, and graphs ss Evaluate sources fora given purpose Recommended Preparation ‘= One-year comprehensive course in United States history at the college-preparatory level ‘= Social studies courses and outside reading, bron ewicebeaay ‘90 multiple-choice questions ‘Material Covered Political history Eoonomic history ‘Social history Intellectual end cultural history 1%-35% 135-178, 20%-24% 13-17% 19817% Foreign policy Periods Covered ‘Pre-Columbian history to 1789 11790-1898 40% 11099 to the present. 40% "Social cience concepts, methods, and guneralizations are Incorporated inthis mater. 20% Getting Reatly for the SAT Subject Tests Sample Questions {All questions in the US. History Subject Test are multiple-choice questions in which you are asked to choose the BEST response from the five choices offered. The directions that follow ae identical to those on the test. eco ach of the questions or incomplete statements below is {followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the ‘one that is BEST in each case and then fillin the comesponding ‘Gicle on the answer sheet, 1. Which of the following best describes the pattern of immigration into Britains North American colonies during the years 1620 to 1770? (A). Largely English in the seventeenth century, non-English in the eighteenth century (8) Chiefly of English origin during the whole period (©) Largely non-English in the seventeenth century, English in the eighteenth century (D) Predominantly from southern and eastern Europe, ‘especially after 1700 (B)_ Predominantly from Asia, Africa, and Spanish America, especially after 1650 2. George Gresvlle viewed! the Stamp Act primarily as a means to (A)_ make the customs service more efficient (8) punish rebellious colonists (©) test the colonists’ will to resist England (D) create more patronage positions forthe king’ courtiers raise revenue forthe crown 3, Which of the following statements is generally true of the framers of the Constitution? (A) They believed in the supremacy ofthe executive branch of the federal government. (B) ‘They had great faith in the goodness and rationality of people. (C) ‘They were opposed to the development of political parties (D) They incorporated into the Constitution the most democratic ideals ofthe Declaration of Independence. (B) ‘They believed the new American republic would be stable because of the unanimity of public opinion in the country on major policy issues,‘What is man born for but to be a refermer a remaker of what “Lbelieve itis the duty of the Negro — as the greater part ‘man has made; renouncer of lies a restorer of truth and good, of the race is already doing — to deport himself modesty, {imitating that great Nature which embosoms usall, and which in regard to political claims, depending upon the slow sleeps no moment on an old past, but every hour repairs herself, but sure influences that proceed from the possession yielding every morning a new day, and with every pulsation a of property, intelligence, and high character for the fll new life? recognition of his political rights” ‘Thee sentinenivaremst charscleisicot IL, “The truth is that ‘integration is an image, ita foxy Northern liberals smoke-screen that confuses the true (A) fundamentalism wants of the American black man.” (B) Social Darwinism esl Dex II “The talented tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders Corea fe eereeer eres: eT eens eee ® oe Pe “The Negro race, like all other races, is going to be saved. by its exceptional men” 5. From 1870 to 1930, the trend in industry was for hours to be generally reduced, while both money wages and teal wages rose ‘What factor was primarily responsible for this trend? ‘The most probable authors of statements, 11, and I, respectively are (A) Malcolm, Nat Tarner, and Mertin Luther King, Jr (B)_ Booker T. Washington, Malcolm X, and W.E.B. Du Bois (©) “Martin Luther King, jr, Booker T. Washington, and (A)_ A reduction in profit margins (B)Minimam-vwage laws (©) Restriction ofthe labor supply. ©) ir ased ‘he of work Noe Dae a nee eae (D) Nat Turner, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Booker T. (E)_Right-to-work legislation © Boer suther King, Jr, and Booker 6. Allofthe following are true ofthe movement to prohibit (©) WEB. Du Bois, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, I. ea Oe ae 8. Which ofthe following was symbolic ofthe rise of American (A) Ttarose quite suddenly amie the hysteria surrounding the {influence inthe fine arts after the Second World Wart First World War, (B)_Itwon the support of many progressive reformers, (C)_Itwas often favored by people who disliked immigrants (Gl Geant Wood's workin Regiooettin and their cultural practices. (D) Jackson Pollock's work in Abstract Expressionism (D)_Itwasa movementin which women played leading roles. (8) Jia 8) Copley aeodcoereatiticptnteunre (©) Itgained strength from new scientific evidence that alcohol was harmful to health. 9. _Major population shifts between 1915 and 1980 included al of the following EXCEPT 2 movement from (A), Mary Cassatt’s work in Impressionism (B) Thomas Bakin's work in Realism (A)_ the rural South to Northern cities (B) New England to the Midwest (C)_ the North to the Sun Belt (D) the inner cities to the suburbs (B) the Caribbean region to the American mainland 10, Which of the following presidents is correctly paired with an event that took place during his administration? (A) Lyitdon B, Johnson... the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (@) John F Kennedy ... resolution of the Suez Crisis (©) Richard M. Nixon .. the reduction of United States forces in Vietnam. (©) Gerald R. Ford. the signing of the Camp David Accords ©) Jimmy Carter... resolution ofthe Cuban Missile Crisis Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests 911. The Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves in which of the 14. A'major change brought about by Franklin D. Roosevelt's New following areas “forever fres"? eal, 1933-1939, was the (A) Allateas of the United States (A)_ creation of machinery for maintaining full employment (B) Allareas of the Confederacy (B) transformation of a business-dominated society into a (©) Areasin border states oyal to the Union labor-dominated one (D) Confederate areas still in rebellion (C)_ redistribution of population from urban centers to rural (B) Areas in states controlled by Union forces areas (D) development of new attitudes about the role and functio ofgovernment destruction of machine politics atthe state and city level 12, “The point Lwish plainly fo bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul; our Protestant idea the © right of individual conscience and judgment; our republican idea, individual citizenship... we consider [a woman] asa citizen, asa member ofa great nation, she must have the same rights as all other members, according to the fundamental WA er n Dyed iW | principles of our government.” ‘The statement above was made by (A) Thomas Jefferson (®) Plizabeth Blackwell (Q) Henry David Thoreau (D)_ Margaret Sanger (Elizabeth Cady Stanton ‘National Archives 15, The 1940s poster above referred to the Pacific {A)_ contribution of women to the defense industry (B) growing popularity of women movie stars (©) large number of women in the armed forces (D) large number of immigrants who supported the war effort (B) affection of Americans for their wartime president Ocean United Meri 13, The controversy with Great Britain over the northern boundary EERE of the shaded section inthe map above was ‘The estimated difficulty evel, ona scale of 1108, with Sieidnedenencentot 4 the oasiest and the moet dificult, en parentheses, 1a@ 5 DM 9 .3@ 13 Ba ia)e he abe sees . (2) a 10. C14 DB) (B) James K. Polk (©) Franklin Pierce (D) James Buchanan (B) Andrew Johnson 2 6 ac@ 736 1 Da 15 Aa 4 8 EO) De 12 EB) Answer explanations for these practice questions are available online. Vist sat.collegeboard.org/practice/ushistory to view and download the complete dociment.World History ‘Questions cover topics emphasized in most high school courses. Because of course differences, most students will ind that there are some questions on topics with which they are not familiar. You may not beable to complete all the questions inthe time given, but itis not necessary to get every question correct to get «high score or even the highest score on the test. Skills Covered in the Context of World History Show knowledge of facts and terms = Understand cause-and-effect relationships 1 Use knowledge of events and geography to demonstrate derstanding of major historical developments = Understand concepts essential to historical analysis = Interpret artistic materials and assess quotations from published materials ‘Recommended Preparation ‘= One-year comprehensive course in world history atthe college- preparatory level 1 Independent reading of materials on historical topics BLOW coi yaEy Southwest Asia South and Southeast Asia, East Asia Americas Periods Covered Prehistory and civilizations to 500 cs." 500 t0 1500 cx, 1600 to 1900 «:, Post-1900 cx. rose-chronologioal “The World Fistory Subject Test uses the chronological designations 12.08, (before common aa) ard cx (commen era). These labels ‘corespond toc. (before Christ) and a. (anne Dorn), which aro used in some word history textbooks, Sample Questions Al questions in the World History Subject Test are multiple-choice questions in which you ae asked to choose the BEST response from the five choices offered. The directions that follow are identical to those that ar on the test Pee Each of the questions or incoraplete statements balow is ‘ollowed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the cone that is BEST in each case and then il in the corresponding ‘circie on the answer sheet. 1. Which ofthe following was an important virtue in Confucianism? (A) Warlike prowess (®) Filial piety (©) Public charity (D) Poverty (©) Manual labor 2. Early Christians developed the monastic ideal as a means of ‘counteracting (A) government interference (B) heresy (©) competition from Eastern religions (D)_worldliness ®)_ persecution 3. The Silk Routes were important in ancient times because they (A) facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between China and the Roman Empire (B) allowed gold and silver mined in China tobe traded for European furs and wool cloth (©) provided trade links between the people of Siberia and the people living on islands in the Bering Sea (D) provided a conduit for trade in silk, porcelain, and costly, gems between China and Japan (©) allowed carts and carriages to travel on paved roads across northern Asia as far west asthe Caspian Sea Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests 114. ‘The bronze plague shown above was created in (4) aly (8) Central Asia (©. Arabia (D) West Africa (E) China grain crops population with most of ts food. smelting mountain glaciers sheltered early civilizations. water: 12 Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests (© Weiner Forman {Art Resource, NY # ARTI38217 5. Which of the following was characteristic ofthe physical ‘environments of early river-valley civilizations in the Near East? (A) Cool summer temperatures encouraged the production of (B). Tropical forests along the riverbanks provided the (© Therivers maintained a steady flow year-round, fed by (D) The rivers lowed through deep mountain valleys, which (©) Rainfall was low, requiring irigation of crops with river ‘The ancient Chinese symbol of the universe shown above represented s (A) the theory that everything consists of opposite but complementary elements (B) the Zen concept of unity in artistic expression (©) Buddhes vision of the perfect shape (D) adualism in which everything isin conflict, and nothing can be resolved (B) the moral principles of Confucius In the map above, the numbered dots correspond to cities. In the eighth century, which cities were near the east-west limits 0 the Islamic world? (a) Land? (B) Lands (©) 2ands (D) 2ands (&) 5and7 ‘The encomienda system of colonial Spanish America most closely resembled the Furopean practice of (A) absolutism: (8). primogeniture (©. patronage (D) manorialism ©) nepotism In early modern Europe, governments sought to increase national wealth and maintain a favorable balance of trade through government intervention by advocating (A) Liberalism (B) Capitalism (© Socialism (D) Utilitarianism (B) Mercantilism10, “Where itis an absolute question of the welfare of our country, 12, Differences between which two religions contributed to violent ‘we must admit of no considerations of justice or injustice, or conflicts in India during and after the struggle for independence ‘erey or cruelty or praise or ignominy, but putting all else aside in 1947? fie ar ae lpr Serena hee (B) Islam and Christianity ‘The statement above expresses the viewpoint of which ofthe (©) Hinduism and sam following? (D) Islam and Budabism (A) Niccolo Machiavelli eta Ben (8) Sir thoms hr 1. Mot be nonce cient esg in Waser European (9) Deseru tacms eo een yes (0) Dati Age (a eetten ores ec ace ar agreements 11, Social Darwinists such as Herbert Spencer argued that (®) find employment (©) do graduate work in the universities participate in the democratic political process avoid forced military conscription in their native land (A) competition allows individuals to develop their talents o and mect their needs © (8) competition and cooperation are equally important in building a productive and compassionate society (©) human societies progress through competition, since the strong survive and the weak perish ‘The estimated difficulty level, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 the (©) human societies progress through cooperation, natural aslest and 6 the most dificult, is in pérenthosos Instinct thatshould be encouraged 1B 4 ®t (©) God predetermines that some members df society are fated to succeed and some members are fated to fail ae & BM) ». E(3) 13. B(4) 3.80) 6 A@) Aa) 2 Ba) ct) ‘Answer explanations for these practice questions are available online. Visit sat.collegeboard.org/practice/worldhistory to view and dowmload the complete document, Looking for More History Practice? Subject Tests in US. and World History fe Aaa eee Um) RS Re eee es Re eet oat oie mea gee Neer aC em ean Pree Leta Unie cge POSE ayy Order today at store.collegeboard.org Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests