Grade 12 English · Reading Literary Text
Virginia SOL 12.RL.3
Virginia SOL 12.RL.3 is part of the Reading Literary Text strand in Grade 12 English (English). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students compare and contrast literary texts, analyzing themes and historical/social contexts. Below is what 12.RL.3 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice 12.RL.3 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL 12.RL.3 means
Compare and contrast literary texts, analyzing themes and historical/social contexts.
Practice Grade 12 English SOL questions
Free Grade 12 English questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on 12.RL.3 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Paragraph 5 suggests that Dan Kilkenny had
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Answer: H — exceptional physical strength
2. In paragraph 5, effaced means
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Answer: C — reduced to nothing
3. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of paragraphs 5 and 6?
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Answer: J — Ice briefly relieved summer heat.
4. Which sentence contains an example of alliteration?
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Answer: A — The wooden wagons were heavy and low-riding with loud rattling wheels.
Skills you’ll practice for 12.RL.3
- Compare and contrast traditional and contemporary texts drawing on similar themes or character types.
- Compare and contrast the development of a universal theme across two or more literary works.
- Analyze how authors' attitudes, viewpoints, and beliefs reflect historical, social, or cultural contexts.
Key concepts covered by 12.RL.3
- text comparison
- themes
- character types
- traditional texts
- contemporary texts
- theme development
- literary works
- comparative analysis
- author's perspective
- historical context
- social context
- cultural context
How to study and practice SOL 12.RL.3
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether 12.RL.3 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Related Grade 12 English standards in Reading Literary Text
Frequently asked questions about SOL 12.RL.3
What is Virginia SOL 12.RL.3?
SOL 12.RL.3 is a Grade 12 English Standard of Learning in the Reading Literary Text strand. It expects students to compare and contrast literary texts, analyzing themes and historical/social contexts.
What skills does SOL 12.RL.3 cover?
SOL 12.RL.3 is assessed on 3 skills: compare and contrast traditional and contemporary texts drawing on similar themes or character types; compare and contrast the development of a universal theme across two or more literary works; analyze how authors' attitudes, viewpoints, and beliefs reflect historical, social, or cultural contexts.
What strand of Grade 12 English is SOL 12.RL.3 in?
SOL 12.RL.3 belongs to the Reading Literary Text reporting strand of the Grade 12 English Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL 12.RL.3?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether 12.RL.3 is already solid, then work the 3 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.