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






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






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






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






5. Three feet per line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






11. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. 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)






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






21. 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






22. A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis






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






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






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






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






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






28. Rhyming that occurs within a single line






29. 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






30. A person portrayed in a literary work






31. A narrative in which situations and characters are invented by the author






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






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






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






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






36. A narrative song or poem






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






38. 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)






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






40. Type of diction; expressions usually accepted in informal situations






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






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






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






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






45. 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






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






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






48. Conversation between characters in a literary work






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






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