Test your basic knowledge |

CSET English Reading Understanding Text

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Two feet per line of poetry






2. Comparison of two things that are alike in some ways






3. A category or type of literature - defined by its style - form - and content (ex: poetry - drama - fiction - and nonfiction)






4. Type of diction; expressions usually accepted in informal situations






5. Eight feet per line of poetry






6. Three feet per line of poetry






7. A movement in early twentieth - century (1900s) poetry - which regarded the image as the essence of poetry






8. A person or force working against the protagonist - or central character - in a literary work






9. A figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent person - inanimate object or idea






10. The larger - than - life central character in an epic (a long narrative poem about events of crucial importance to the history of a culture/nation)






11. A metrical foot; _ _/ (unstressed - unstressed - stressed)






12. Poetry in which characters are revealed through dialogue - monologue - and description






13. Occurs when words include sounds that are similar but not identical (ex: tone and gone)






14. A word or phrase that is so overused that it has lost its expressive power






15. A statement or situation that seems to be contradictory but actually makes sense (ex: the more I learn - the less I know)






16. A wise saying - usually short and to the point; similar to epigram or maxim






17. A literary style in which the writer combines realistic characters - events - situations - and dialogue with elements that are magical - supernatural - or fantastic






18. A short - witty verse or saying; similar to aphorism or maxim






19. An interruption in the chronological sequence of a narrative to leap forward in time






20. A concluding statement or section added to a work of literature






21. A literary technique that records a character's memories - opinions - and emotions






22. The reader or the playgoer has information unknown to characters in the play






23. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another that is related (ex: the crown=the king of a country)






24. Writing or speech that tells a story






25. Six feet per line of poetry






26. Type of diction; informal language used by a particular group among themselves






27. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character






28. The use of a word or phrase to mean the exact opposite of its literal or expected meaning.






29. A metrical foot; // (stressed - stressed)






30. Five feet per line of poetry






31. A long speech by a character in a literary work






32. A literary technique in which the author uses clues to prepare readers for events that will occur later






33. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






34. A sudden intuitive recognition of the essence or meaning of something






35. A question to which no answer is expected or the answer is obvious






36. Rhyming that occurs within a single line






37. The central understanding about life as expressed in a work of literature; may be stated or expressed directly; usually implied or revealed gradually through events - dialogue - and outcome






38. Conversation between characters in a literary work






39. The central character in a literary work - around whom the action revolves






40. The methods - direct and indirect - used by a writer to reveal a character's personality






41. A narrative song or poem






42. The writer says one thing but means something else






43. A short saying that expresses a general ruth or gives practical advice - usually about behavior and morality; similar to adage or aphorism






44. The chief character in a literary work - usually one with admirable qualities






45. Four feet per line of poetry






46. A philosophy that values human freedom and personal responsibility. Writers include: Jean - Paul Sartre - Kierkegaard - Camus - Nietzsche - Franz Kafka - and Simon de Beauvoir






47. Poetry or lines of dramatic verse written in iambic pentameter






48. A type of narrative nonfiction recounting a period in the writer's life






49. A pair of rhymed lines in iambic pentameter that work together to make a point or express an idea






50. Seven feet per line of poetry