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. A story intended to be performed before an audience by actors on a stage






2. Repetition of initial consonant sounds in words; used as musical device






3. The time and place in which the events of a literary work occur






4. The narrator knows everything about the characters and events and reveals details that even the characters themselves could not reveal






5. A figure of speech that uses the word 'like' or 'as' to compare two unlike things






6. The repetition of a line or phrase in a poem at regular intervals - usually at the end of each stanza






7. The use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound it describes






8. Rhyme that occurs within a line of verse






9. Seven feet per line of poetry






10. Persuasive writing






11. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






12. A rhythmical pattern in verse that is made up of stressed and unstressed syllables






13. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






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






15. The writer says one thing but means something else






16. The flaw that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero; the word comes from the Greek word hybris meaning 'excessive pride'






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






18. The literal - or dictionary - meaning of a word






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






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






21. In drama - a long speech given by a character who is alone on stage; reveals the inner thoughts and emotions of that character






22. A narrative song or poem






23. The feeling a literary work evokes in a reader - such as sadness - peace - or joy






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






25. The point of highest emotional intensity or suspense in a literary work






26. 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)






27. A figure of speech in which a comparison in implied but not stated (ex: The snow was a white blanket)






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






29. A person portrayed in a literary work






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






31. A specific kind of figurative language such as - simile - personification - metaphor - or hyperbole






32. A person - place - thing - or event used to represent something else (ex: scarlet 'A' representing the sin of adultery)






33. The repetition of final consonant sounds in words containing different vowels (ex: fresh cash - yard bird)






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






35. Reference to a well - known person - place - or situation from history/art/music/work of literature






36. Type of diction; specialized language used in a particular profession or content area






37. A lesson about right and wrong conduct taught in a fable or parable






38. The use of words to create pictures in the reader's mind






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






40. A form of dramatic poetry in which a speaker addresses a silent listener






41. The continuation of a sentence from one line of a poem to another to complete meaning and grammatical structure (aka - a run - on)






42. A figure of speech in which opposite ideas are combined (ex: wise fool)






43. The person who tells a story; may be a part of the story or an outside observer






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






45. The pattern of sound created by stressed and unstressed syllable - particularly in poetry






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






47. Conversation between characters in a literary work






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






49. Rhyming that occurs within a single line






50. A feeling of curiosity or dread about what will happen next in a story