SAT II Literature : Context-Based Meaning of a Word
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Literature
All SAT II Literature Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape (5)
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy? (10)
Based on context, what are “dales”?
Paradise
Limbo
Temples
Valley
Stringed instruments
Valley
Whatever a “dale” is, we can see that it exists in Arcady, an ancient Greek model for paradise or utopia, but is not itself a paradise. We can also see that it is populated by “leaf-fring’d legend[s]” (line 5). Our best guess will lead us to choose a topographical feature as our answer: valley.
Passage adapted from John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn" (1820)
Example Question #12 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, (5)
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
(1817)
Based on context, what is meant by “couch” (line 8)?
None of these
Chaise longue
Bed
Loveseat
Grave
Bed
We can tell from context that this “couch” includes “drapery” (i.e. bedclothes) and that one “lies down to pleasant dreams” on it. Chaise longue is a very specific type of couch – too specific for this context – as is a loveseat. Grave, while it fits the poem’s broader theme, doesn’t fit the sleep metaphor.
Passage adapted from William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” (1817)
Example Question #12 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
Judging by context, in line 5, "numbers" most closely means ________________.
many
one
ten
few
multiple groups with a specific number in each
many
"Numbers" in line 5 most closely means "many." Line 5 reads: "Some few in that, but numbers err in this." The "few" who err in "that" (poetry) are contrasted with the "numbers" of people who err in "this" (literary criticism). That is, "numbers" is set up as a contrast or antithesis to "few." Therefore, the best approximate meaning of "numbers" will be an antonym for "few," such as "many."
Passage adapted from Alexander Pope's poem An Essay on Criticism (1711).
Example Question #13 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
Adapted from "Old Man Traveling" by William Wordsworth in Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798 ed.)
The little hedge-row birds,
That peck along the road, regard him not.
He travels on, and in his face, his step,
His gait, is one expression; every limb,
His look and bending figure, all bespeak
A man who does not move with pain, but moves
With thought—He is insensibly subdued
To settled quiet: he is one by whom
All effort seems forgotten, one to whom
Long patience has such mild composure given,
That patience now doth seem a thing, of which
He hath no need. He is by nature led
To peace so perfect, that the young behold
With envy, what the old man hardly feels.
—I asked him whither he was bound, and what
The object of his journey; he replied
"Sir! I am going many miles to take
"A last leave of my son, a mariner,
"Who from a sea-fight has been brought to Falmouth,
And there is dying in an hospital."
The underlined word “bound” most nearly means __________.
captured
set
going
tied
coming from
going
In the context of the sentence in which "bound" appears, we can see that the only answer choice able to replace “bound” is “going,” as the sentence says: “I asked him whither he was bound, and what / The object of his journey.” Here, “bound” means to be going to or to be walking to. We can also infer this as the line is in the form of a question and the old man's reply is “I am going many miles.” We can also reach this conclusion by eliminating the other possible answers. There is nothing in the poem to suggest the man has been “captured” or “tied,” and there is nothing to suggest the speaker wants to know where the man is coming from. We also cannot say “set,” as it would have to be coupled with “out” to mean anything close to “bound” in this context and even then would fail to be synonymous.
Example Question #14 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
1 Suddenly I saw the cold and rook-delighting Heaven
2 That seemed as though ice burned and was but the more ice,
3 And thereupon imagination and heart were driven
4 So wild that every casual thought of that and this
5 Vanished, and left but memories, that should be out of season
6 With the hot blood of youth, of love crossed long ago;
7 And I took all the blame out of all sense and reason,
8 Until I cried and trembled and rocked to and fro,
9 Riddled with light. Ah! when the ghost begins to quicken,
10 Confusion of the death-bed over, is it sent
11 Out naked on the roads, as the books say, and stricken
12 By the injustice of the skies for punishment?
(1916)
Based on context, the word "riddled" (line 9) most likely means ___________________.
confused
blinded
full
overwhelmed
burned
overwhelmed
Though being "blinded" or "burned" are things that may come about through "light" (line 9), nothing in the poem indicates that the speaker is physically burned or is made unable to see. There is nothing that particularly suggests that the speaker is "full" with light, either.
Although the speaker does seem to be in a state of confusion to some extent, line 8, which precedes the use of the word "riddled," sounds much more like the description of someone "overwhelmed" than someone merely "confused": "Until I cried and trembled and rocked to and fro." "Riddled" does, indeed, mean to be "overwhelmed" by something.
Passage adapted from William Butler Yeats' "The Cold Heaven" (1916)
Example Question #14 : Overall Language Or Specific Words, Phrases, Or Sentences
1 Infer the wilds which next pertain.
2 Though travel here be still a walk,
3 Small heart was theirs for easy talk.
4 Oblivious of the bridle-rein
5 Rolfe fell to Lethe altogether,
6 Bewitched by that uncanny weather
7 Of sultry cloud. And home-sick grew
8 The banker. In his reverie blue
9 The cigarette, a summer friend,
10 Went out between his teeth—could lend
11 No solace, soothe him nor engage.
12 And now disrelished he each word
13 Of sprightly, harmless persiflage
14 Wherewith young Glaucon here would fain
15 Evince a jaunty disregard.
16 But hush betimes o’ertook the twain—
17 The more impressive, it may be,
18 For that the senior, somewhat spent,
19 Florid overmuch and corpulent,
20 Labored in lungs, and audibly.
(1876)
Judging by context, "persiflage" (line 13) most likely means ____________________.
youthful energy
decoration on a horse's reins
idle talk
frivolous clothing
singing
idle talk
As the context suggests, "persiflage" (line 13) does indeed mean "idle talk" or banter. It is clear that persiflage refers to some sort of speaking or linguistic communication because in lines 12-13 the poet writes that he "disrelished [or disliked]...each word / of...persiflage" (emphasis added). This shows that persiflage is something composed of and produced by words. Further, it is clear that persiflage consists of "idle" words because it is modified by the descriptors "sprightly" and "harmless" (line 13).
Passage adapted from Herman Melville's epic poem Clarel (1876).
Example Question #11 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
1 I WILL arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, 2 And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made: 3 Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee, 4 And live alone in the bee-loud glade. 5 And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, 6 Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings; 7 There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, 8 And evening full of the linnet's wings. 9 I will arise and go now, for always night and day 10 I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; 11 While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, 12 I hear it in the deep heart's core.
(1893)
Based on context, "wattles" (line 2) most likely means ___________________.
a specific type of clay
a place near Innisfree
a type of woodland creature
dreams of peace and quiet
something used to build a cabin
something used to build a cabin
The speaker states that his cabin will be built ("made" at end of line 2) "of clay and wattles" (line 2). Even if one does not know exactly what "wattles" are, it is clear that they, like the clay, are something that is used to make this cabin.
"Wattles" cannot refer to a specific type of clay because the speaker says "clay and wattles," implying that they are two different things, not that one is a subcategory of the other.
Passage adapted from William Butler Yeats' "Lake Isle of Innisfree" (1893)
Example Question #17 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
1 In silent night when rest I took,
2 For sorrow near I did not look,
3 I wakened was with thund’ring noise
4 And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
5 That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,”
6 Let no man know is my Desire.
7 I, starting up, the light did spy,
8 And to my God my heart did cry
9 To straighten me in my Distress
10 And not to leave me succourless.
11 Then, coming out, behold a space
12 The flame consume my dwelling place.
13 And when I could no longer look,
14 I blest His name that gave and took,
15 That laid my goods now in the dust.
16 Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.
17 It was his own, it was not mine,
18 Far be it that I should repine;
19 He might of all justly bereft
20 But yet sufficient for us left.
21 When by the ruins oft I past
22 My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
23 And here and there the places spy
24 Where oft I sate and long did lie.
25 Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
26 There lay that store I counted best.
27 My pleasant things in ashes lie
28 And them behold no more shall I.
29 Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
30 Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
31 No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told
32 Nor things recounted done of old.
33 No Candle e'er shall shine in Thee,
34 Nor bridegroom’s voice e'er heard shall be.
35 In silence ever shalt thou lie,
36 Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity.
37 Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide,
38 And did thy wealth on earth abide?
39 Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust?
40 The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
41 Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
42 That dunghill mists away may fly.
43 Thou hast a house on high erect
44 Framed by that mighty Architect,
45 With glory richly furnished,
46 Stands permanent though this be fled.
47 It’s purchased and paid for too
48 By Him who hath enough to do.
49 A price so vast as is unknown,
50 Yet by His gift is made thine own;
51 There’s wealth enough, I need no more,
52 Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
53 The world no longer let me love,
54 My hope and treasure lies above.
(1666)
In line 7, what best defines the underlined word "light"?
A heavenly glow
The rising sun
A candle
A fire
An epiphany
A fire
Two lines before, the speaker hears cries of "fire," and it becomes clear later that the speaker's house has burned down.
Passage adapted from Anne Bradstreet's "Upon the Burning of our House" (1666)
Example Question #18 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word
1 In silent night when rest I took,
2 For sorrow near I did not look,
3 I wakened was with thund’ring noise
4 And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
5 That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,”
6 Let no man know is my Desire.
7 I, starting up, the light did spy,
8 And to my God my heart did cry
9 To straighten me in my Distress
10 And not to leave me succourless.
11 Then, coming out, behold a space
12 The flame consume my dwelling place.
13 And when I could no longer look,
14 I blest His name that gave and took,
15 That laid my goods now in the dust.
16 Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.
17 It was his own, it was not mine,
18 Far be it that I should repine;
19 He might of all justly bereft
20 But yet sufficient for us left.
21 When by the ruins oft I past
22 My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
23 And here and there the places spy
24 Where oft I sate and long did lie.
25 Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
26 There lay that store I counted best.
27 My pleasant things in ashes lie
28 And them behold no more shall I.
29 Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
30 Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
31 No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told
32 Nor things recounted done of old.
33 No Candle e'er shall shine in Thee,
34 Nor bridegroom’s voice e'er heard shall be.
35 In silence ever shalt thou lie,
36 Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity.
37 Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide,
38 And did thy wealth on earth abide?
39 Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust?
40 The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
41 Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
42 That dunghill mists away may fly.
43 Thou hast a house on high erect
44 Framed by that mighty Architect,
45 With glory richly furnished,
46 Stands permanent though this be fled.
47 It’s purchased and paid for too
48 By Him who hath enough to do.
49 A price so vast as is unknown,
50 Yet by His gift is made thine own;
51 There’s wealth enough, I need no more,
52 Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
53 The world no longer let me love,
54 My hope and treasure lies above.
(1666)
What is the best definition for the underlined word "succourless" as it is used in line 10?
Without God
Without relief
Physically disabled
Homeless
Without family
Without relief
The speaker's crying out to God in her distress gives us a clue to the meaning of succourless; "succour" (modern spelling) means help, aid, or relief.
Passage adapted from Anne Bradstreet's "Upon the Burning of our House" (1666)
Example Question #13 : Context Based Meaning Of A Word: Poetry
1 MUCH have I travell’d in the realms of gold,
2 And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
3 Round many western islands have I been
4 Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
5 Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
6 That deep-brow’d Homer ruled as his demesne;
7 Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
8 Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
9 Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
10 When a new planet swims into his ken;
11 Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
12 He star’d at the Pacific—and all his men
13 Look’d at each other with a wild surmise—
14 Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
(1816)
Based on context, what does "ken" (line 10) most likely mean?
View
Body of water
Body of knowledge
Literary skill
Kingdom
View
Lines 9-10 describe a stargazer or astronomer--someone who is watching the sky for planets and stars, perhaps with a telescope. When the speaker speaks of a planet swimming "into his ken," that is, into the stargazer's "ken," this must refer to the planet entering the stargazer's frame of vision. Indeed, "ken" means "view," or range of sight.
Passage adapted from "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" by John Keats (1816)
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