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






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






3. The basic unit in the measurement of a line of metrical poetry; usually has one stressed syllable and one or more unstressed syllable;






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






5. 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)






6. A story intended to be performed before an audience by actors on a stage






7. The dominant mood or feeling of a literary work






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






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






10. Two feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. Repetition of initial consonant sounds in words; used as musical device






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






24. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






25. Poetry or lines of dramatic verse written in iambic pentameter






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






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






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






29. A type of narrative nonfiction recounting a period in the writer's life






30. The outcome - or resolution - of the plot






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






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






33. 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)






34. A person or force working against the protagonist - or central character - in a literary work






35. 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)






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






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






38. A significant word - phrase - idea - description - or other element repeated throughout a literary work and related to the theme






39. The use of a word or phrase to mean the exact opposite of its literal or expected meaning.






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






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






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






43. Eight feet per line of poetry






44. The rhythmic rise and fall of oral language






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






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






47. Five feet per line of poetry






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






49. 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






50. Verse that tells a story