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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. The writer says one thing but means something else






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






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






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






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






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






7. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






13. Rhyming of word at the ends of line






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






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






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






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






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






20. 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






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






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






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






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






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






26. Seven feet per line of poetry






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






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






29. 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






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






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






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






33. The perspective from which a story is told






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






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






36. A person portrayed in a literary work






37. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. 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






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






46. Occurs at the ends of lines of poetry






47. Four feet per line of poetry






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






49. Five feet per line of poetry






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