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






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






3. An occurrence is the opposite of what was expected






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






5. 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)






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






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






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






9. Three feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






13. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. Rhyming that occurs within a single line






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






22. Six feet per line of poetry






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






24. Two feet per line of poetry






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






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






27. The perspective from which a story is told






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






29. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






30. 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)






31. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






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






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






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






35. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






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






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






38. One foot per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






47. A stanza made up of two rhyming lines that follow the same rhythmic pattern






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






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






50. 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