The textbook includes test tasks of different types and covers the history of Russian literature of the XIX century. Attention is paid both to the work of the fundamental writers and poets of the era, and to the writers of the second row and the cultural and historical picture as a whole. The questions are aimed at expanding students' ideas about the literary process, about the personal and creative relationships of different authors, take into account the chronology of life and creativity, the peculiarities of poetics and the worldview of individual writers and poets. The tests are not only controlling, but also educational in nature. The system of test tasks is necessary to test students' knowledge and self-control, it is important both in full-time and in distance learning. The manual is addressed to teachers and students of philological faculties, can also be used in high school classes with in-depth study of the humanities.