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 person portrayed in a literary work






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






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






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






5. Verse that tells a story






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






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






8. 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






9. 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)






10. Seven feet per line of poetry






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






12. Conversation between characters in a literary work






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






14. A literary device in which the author interrupts the chronological order of a narrative to show something that happened in the past






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






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






17. Persuasive writing






18. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






24. Four feet per line of poetry






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






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






27. Type of diction; language widely considered crude - disgusting - and offensive






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






29. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






30. 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






31. A brief statement commemorating a dead person - often inscribed on a gravestone






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






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






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






35. The point of view/perspective of a story when it is told by someone who stands outside the story






36. The assignment/application of human characteristics to animals - inanimate object - or gods (ex: Sponge Bob - Bugs Bunny)






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. 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






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






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






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






48. An occurrence is the opposite of what was expected






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






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