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






2. The suggested or implied meaning associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition; can be positive - neutral - or negative






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






4. Eight feet per line of poetry






5. The literary representation of a character's free - flowing thought processes - memories - and emotions; often does not use conventional sentence structure or rules of grammar






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






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






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






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






10. The recurrence of sounds - words - phrases - lines - or stanzas in a literary work or speech






11. Writing or speech that tells a story






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






13. Short narrative about an interesting event - often used to make a point






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






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






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






17. The repetition of the same stressed vowel sounds and any succeeding sounds in two or more words






18. The repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds in stressed syllables that end with different consonant sounds






19. Four feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






24. A literary work in which all or most of the characters - events and setting stand for ideas or generalization about life; have a moral or lesson






25. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






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






27. Seven feet per line of poetry






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






29. Type of diction; old fashioned words no longer in common use






30. An author's choice of words - based on their effectiveness for the author's purpose






31. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






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






33. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






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






35. Type of diction; a variety of language used by people in particular geographic area






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






37. A type of pun - or play on words - that results when the speaker gets two words mixed up (ex: We watched the flamingo dancers all day)






38. Language used for descriptive effect rather than literal meaning and including at least one figure of speech (metaphor - simile - personification)






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






40. A person portrayed in a literary work






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






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






43. The author's attitude toward his/her subject matter or audience; expressed through diction - punctuation - syntax - and figures of speech; (ex: humorous - serious - formal - distant - friendly)






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






45. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






46. The sequence of events in a short story - novel - or drama






47. Three feet per line of poetry






48. The pattern formed by end rhyme in a stanza or poem; indicated by the assignment of a different letter of the alphabet to each new rhyme






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






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