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






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






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






4. Eight feet per line of poetry






5. An occurrence is the opposite of what was expected






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






7. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






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






9. A philosophy that values human freedom and personal responsibility. Writers include: Jean - Paul Sartre - Kierkegaard - Camus - Nietzsche - Franz Kafka - and Simon de Beauvoir






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






11. 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)






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






13. 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






14. Five feet per line of poetry






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






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






17. The perspective from which a story is told






18. A narrative song or poem






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






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






21. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






22. A literary technique that records a character's memories - opinions - and emotions






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






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






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






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






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






35. A literary movement and philosophical attitude important during the mid -19th century in New England; emphasized reliance on intuition and conscience - focused on protesting materialism and Puritan ethic. Hallmarks of the movement: individualism - fr






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. Four feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






46. The point of view/perspective of a story when it is told by one character who uses the pronouns I and me






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






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






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






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