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






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






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






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






5. A person portrayed in a literary work






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






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






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






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






10. Rhyme that occurs within a line of verse






11. A type of comedy with ridiculous characters - events - or situations






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






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






14. A figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole or a whole is used for its parts (ex: All hands on deck)






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






16. A break or pause (usually for sense) in the middle of a verse line - marked in prosody by a double vertical line (||)






17. Six feet per line of poetry






18. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. The struggle - internal or external - between opposing forces in a work of literature






26. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






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






28. 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






29. Verse that contains an irregular metrical pattern and line length; also called vers libre






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






31. Conversation between characters in a literary work






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






33. 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






34. Type of diction; language that shows disrespect for others or something sacred






35. A narrator who gives a faulty or distorted account of the events in a story; a child as a narrator might misinterpret someone's actions






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






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






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






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






40. Reversal of the usual word order for variety or emphasis (ex:A girl with a hat/In a dream I saw)






41. A narrative in which situations and characters are invented by the author






42. An introductory section of a play - speech - or other literary work






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






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






45. Verse that tells a story






46. An emphasis on themes - characters - settings - and customs of a particular geographical region






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






48. Five feet per line of poetry






49. A quotation from another work that suggests the main idea - or theme - of the work at hand






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