SAT Literature Practice Test 3: Tests - A Research Guide for Students

Directions: This test consists of selections from literary works and questions on their content, form, and style. After each passage or poem, choose the best answer to each question.

1. The word “overlooking” (line 22) is meant to suggest that Mrs. Penniman does which of the following?

A. Ignores Catherine’s talent
B. Teaches Catherine how to play the piano
C. Supervises Catherine’s piano playing
D. Discourages Catherine
E. Hires Catherine’s tutors

2. Which of the following does Mrs. Penniman use metaphorically to talk about her influence on Catherine?

3. What does the author imply by the terms “it must be confessed that she made but a modest figure” (lines 25-26)?

A. Catherine was trim and fit.
B. Catherine was unaware of her talent.
C. Catherine was unlikely to brag.
D. Catherine was a talented dancer.
E. Catherine was just an average dancer.

A. third person
B. protagonist
C. second person
D. sarcastic first person
E. detached first person

A. Onomatopoeia
B. Ascertainable rhyme scheme
C. Oxymoron
D. Change in perspective
E. Alliteration

A. It is sunset.
B. There will be trouble if she is found in his room.
C. The woman will follow his wishes.
D. They are both hungry.
E. She makes him happy.

Question	Correct Answer	Your Answer	Result	Explanation
1	C	0	0	Mrs. Penniman is in charge of Catherine’s lessons, so “supervising” is a good synonym (C). She does not ignore her talent (A), nor does she teach Catherine herself (B). She encourages Catherine (D). We don’t know who hires Catherine’s tutors (E).
2	B	0	0	“It is I who supply the butter,” says Mrs. Penniman (B). Secrets are compared to addled eggs (A). “Bread” is compared to goodness, not Mrs. Penniman’s influence (C). “The salt of malice” is a phrase and is not being used as a symbol (D). Mrs. Penniman’s influence is not compared to a fool’s (E).
3	E	0	0	In contrast to her piano talent, Catherine was just fair as a dancer (E). There is no mention of Catherine’s appearance (A). We don’t know if she is aware of her talent (B) or if it is in her character to brag (C). She was not a talented dancer (D).
4	E	0	0	The narration is observant of Catherine’s qualities and Mrs. Penniman’s thoughts (E). It is not melodramatic (A), nor is there any evidence of irony (B). It is not sardonic (meanly satiric) (C), nor is it particularly didactic (designed to instruct) (D).
5	A	0	0	The point of view is of an omniscient narrator (A). We don’t know who the protagonist is (B). There is no use of the second-person “you” (C) or of first-person “I” (D) and (E).
6	B	0	0	In this passage secrets are compared to “addled eggs.” Mrs. Penniman’s little secrets are called an “innocent passion” (line 33) and portrayed as useless, like rotten eggs (B). They are definitely not important or useful (E). Eggs cannot be “confused” (A). Choice (C) is a distractor that wants you to be thinking about the “eggs” portion of “addled eggs.” Don’t fall for it. Don’t confuse “addled” with “saddled” (D).
7	B	0	0	There is an obvious rhyme scheme: AA, BB, CC, so (B) is the correct answer. There is no onomatopoeia (A) or oxymoron (C). The perspective does not change (D), and alliteration is not used (E).
8	E	0	0	He says her eyes give off light, and she gives him joy (E). His heart is breaking because they must part, so it’s safe to say that she makes him happy (E). There is mention of sunrise, but not sunset (A). There is no mention of the consequences of being discovered (B). We don’t know what the woman will do (C). There is no mention of hunger (D).